TALK ON WAR PROBLEMS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 39, 15 February 1941, Page 10

TALK ON WAR PROBLEMS

Some members of the Australian Government delegation which is to discuss war problems have arrived in New Zealand, and others are expected shortly. From the strength of the delegation it is evident that the Commonwealth Government considers these talks important. The subjects to be discussed include coordination of wartime production, shipping, curtailment of meat exports to the United Kingdom, provision of refrigerated space, exports in general, and a long-term policy for dealing with surplus products. There is enough here to keep the delegation busy for a long time, and, if a closer understanding can be reached between the Commonwealth and the Dominion on such questions as shipping and wartime production, it should be a great gain to both parties. New Zealand will probably have to depend more upon Australia for some essential supplies unprocurable under restricted, shipping conditions from more distant sources.

Both Australia and New Zealand are vitally concerned, too, with the restriction of meat exports and the ultimate disposal of surplus products. A long-term policy cannot be finally settled at this stage, but a useful exchange of facts and views can be made. In the long run some form of world settlement will be needed, but in the meantime Australia and N Tew Zealand can discuss such basic questions as how far it is advisable to endeavour to change the direction of production and the terms on which surpluses should be disposed of. To prevent a post-war glut and waste it seems that arrangements will have to be entered into for marketing surplus products where they are needed but cannot be paid for at the full value, fhis Avould be better for purchasers and producers than waste and would be of great assistance in .post-war rehabilitation. But it would involve sacrifice by the producing countries. Such sacrifice may reasonably be reckoned a fair contribution from the countries that have escaped the major devastating and destructive effects of war. If the people of these more fortunate countries, including our own, could begin to learn now that this is expected of them—and that all, not only the farmers, must bear the cost—it would be a beginning in creating the atmosphere of peacemaking co-operation which will be essential in the establishment of a new world order.