A HIGH IDEAL

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 52, 30 August 1934, Page 15

A HIGH IDEAL

NEW ZEALAND'S POLICY

QUOTA DISCUSSIONS

•"'•'■. The.view that New Zealand should "pursue a policy of careful negotiation f -),',ivit;h the United Kingdom rather than a- one of obstruction and defiance in tho quota discussions was strongly urged by the Minister of Finance (tho Bt. ':■ Hon. J. 6. Coates), .when speaking today at a luncheon tendered by the Meat Producers' Board to the electoral committee of the board. Mr. Cpatcs said he feared that any open declaration on the part,of New ■ Zealand that she would obstruct find t(:defy., the.policy of. the United Kingdom--fi- Government would be contrary,to'the » 'Dominion's own* traditional policy, "'■•• which was clearly one of ..negotiation ■ '"■! andassistance. Above a)l,it seemed to :••'•' him that New Zealand musf conduct her ■■: '■ negotiations and conclude her arrangements with the high ideal ever before | her that nothing should be done likely to create' dissension within the Empire. There were dangers, possibly irrepar- . .able, that might arise if parts of the r , , Empire!-; declared themselves nqt-p're- ""' pared to work together. Mr. Coates referred to the value of the discussions between the Govern-1 menfc and the Meat Board, and the1 splendid-work that was being.done by "'members of the board. Kever^ he said, ''had there been.a greater.need,for the '■'"' Government and tho representatives of r'-'the producers to work in uiiisbn. :? f; He also stressed the desirability of '■'■''< interest' l-at'cs on private .mortgage s '° 'money being reduced to a nearer re•:r'p' lationship with' the. rates on Govern•■'Cment. and local body securities, arid ■ '■ pointed out that in certain localities >3 and 3 per cent, meant the diffcr•■•■i.fnto between success ,and failure..Ee>:«ductioTi .of private interest rates was a vital factor in expediting-'the-conn-j -try's return to a normal level.