NEW ZEALAND'S COURSE

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND'S COURSE

POLICY PRAISED

DR. HUGH DALTON'S VIEWS

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, April 9.

' The danger of New Zealand being "so overwhelmingly dependent on external trade" was referred to by Dr. Hugh Dalton, M.P., when he returned to London this week.

."In the event either of war or. a serious trade slump, involving a collapse of export prices, the position of New Zealand would be most unenviable," he said. "I was, therefore, much interested to find that the Government is proposing to develop iron ore deposits in conjunction with neighbouring coal mines. "It seems to me to be most wise, both from the point of view of securing a more balanced economy in peacetime, and for defence purposes. For the same reason I think also that the development of a new industry for the extraction of oil from coal is a sound precaution. "The intention of the Government to finance these developments by public credit from the Reserve Bank rather than by raising loans from private capitalists is, to my mind, also a wise decision."

Dr. Dalton frankly admitted that his expectations of New Zealand's scenic beauties had been more than realised.

"Most oustanding in my memory are the thermal regions at Rotorua and the Southern Alps. Both seem to me to be unique in the world," he said. "I shall never forget my flight from Wellington down the West Coast in three and a half hours.

"I was most impressed by all the evidence of material prosperity in New Zealand, and by the energy and efficiency with which the present Government is carrying out its plans for developing the natural resources of the country, improving the marketing arrangements abroad, and, at the same time, raising the standard of life of the people, through increases in wages, stabilised prices for produce, and social services.

"Just as in the nineties of the last century, all the world looked with interest and admiration' at the work of Seddon and Pember Reeves, and other pioneers in the field of social development, so I think today the rest of the world is looking with very great interest at the way in which the present New Zealand Government is breaking, new ground in the economical and social field." • . t

Dr. Dalton said that he had been most favourably. impressed by the efficiency of the marketing arrangements now in force regarding New Zealand produce in London; and particularly by the methods- of publicity that were being used to make known the Dominion's various products.

"It is no accident, for instance, that the price of New Zealand butter has advanced "relatively to that of Danish and other imported supplies," Dr.. Dalton afided. "I think that a good deal must be attributed to your effective publicity."