TRADE WITH U.S.A.

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 140, 15 June 1937, Page 10

TRADE WITH U.S.A.

MR. SAVAGE'S ATTITUDE

NO FAITH IN JUGGLING WITH

TARIFFS

WORKERS' INTERESTS

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received June 15, 2.20 p.m.) LONDON, June 14. Mr. M. J. Savage made an outspoken statement to the Australian Associated Press agency of the New Zealand Government's attitude towards an Anglo-American agreement.

He declared that the Dominion would not be a party to any negotiations which were likely to increase unemployment in New Zealand or adversely affect the income of the workers and the producers. Discussion about altering the trend of world trade was futile, and would not strike at the roots of the problem, the solution of which lay in increasing trade by increasing the wages and therefore the purchasing power of the workers. This would have to be taken into consideration in any negotiations with America.

The New Zealand Government remained loyal to the policy of - Imperial preferences. If }t had. nob much faith in achieving prosperity by means of juggling with tariffs, it would nevertheless welcome an agreement between the Empire and America based on the ideals for which both America and New Zealand stood.

"President Roosevelt, like my Government," said Mr. Savage, "aims at raising wages, and realises that the only advantage from.'increasing the efficiency of machines • lies, in giving the workers more leisure. He has already succeeded to a considerable extent, and can be forgiven for his failures for the sake of his aims and what he has already accomplished. I personally admire Mr. Roosevelt, much as I detest men who wait for something to turn up. There is the greatest sympathy in New Zealand for the American experiment for the sake of the common ideals on which it is based. If other countries followed similar objectives it would go far to solve the world's problems. I Therein lies a solid foundation for any agreement between America and the Empire. Meanwhile, the New Zealand Government will wait until detailed proposals are submitted."