FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1933, Page 8

FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING

Lord Bledisloe has performed a valuable service to both England and New Zealand by revealing clearly the fallacy of some current misconceptions of British trade policy. In his address at Christchurch last night his Excellency spoke particularly of the idea that Britain aimed at being self-contained in food supply, and of the erroneous suggestion that, in her trading agreements, she favoured foreign nations at the expense of the Dominions. His convincing statement should be read by all who are interested in the commercial relationship of New Zealand and the Motherland —and we are all interested—for it is upon the foundation of a good understanding that a mutually help-' ful trade policy will be erected. There is no one in New Zealand better qualified than his Excellency to interpret the views of both sides. His intimate knowledge ;of the British farmer's problems and his extensive [study of our own primary industry [enable him to speak with sympathetic understanding of both sides. The subject is a difficult one to approach, for at so many points it threatens to become controversial, but his Excellency's tactful and diplomatic treatment raised it to a plane above politics. It is on this plane, on the high ground of national interest and sentiment, that it should be kept. It can be kept there if the fallacies which tend to make understanding so difficult are cleared away.