HOME AGAIN

Evening Star, Issue 21519, 18 September 1933, Page 3

HOME AGAIN

PREMIER’S REVIEW OF CONFERENCE ROOSEVELT RECOVERY PLAN A COLOSSAL EXPERIMENT IPIR United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 17. “ I am very glad to be home again,” said the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. G. iW. Forbes) on his arrival in Wellington this afternoon by the R.M.S. Makura from attending the World Monetary and Economic Conference in London. “Itis no new discovery for me to find that our little dominion compares more than favourably with other and older countries of the world. “ We had a very interesting journey through the United States of America on our way homewards, and had an opportunity of seeing something of the (conditions in that country and also of |he operations in its early stages of vie National Industrial Recovery Act. There is no doubt that President Roosevelt is endeavouring to carry out a colossal plan, devised to effect a return to a more normal state of prosperity in industry and in the country generally. It is a little too soon to judge whether the measures which are being adopted will have the desifed results, but there is no gainsaying the fact that a good deal of support for the scheme is being accorded by the public generally in the hope of success attending the efforts of the President and his administrators. It is a little difficult, too, to gauge how far the improvement in price levels which has taken place during recent months is due to the operation of the legislation. It will be recalled that about the time that

the Act was passed by Congress there was definite evidence that price levels

were commencing to rise owing to the influences of a wide variety of factors, and it must be assumed that these factors have continued to have their effect. In addition to the general rise in world prices, American prices, particularly of agricultural commodities, wore given a special upward thrust by the heavy depression of the dollar exchange which had occurred since the gold standard ivas suspended last March “It must be.remembered, too, that before the Roosevelt programme of recovery was begun the United States was very near to financial collapse. The situation was, indeed, so desperate that the country was ready and willing to accept desperate remedies which would never have been considered in normal times. Some of the highest' authorities in Washington informed me candidly that much of their legislation was experimental, and that they did not know whether it would succeed or fail.

“At Washington we were the guests of the-President and Mrs Roosevelt at luncheon, and enjoyed a Very interesting talk with our host. I was greatly impressed with the President’s earnestness and sincerity in the great task he had undertaken, and with his friendli-' ness towards New Zealand.

V “We had an opportunity of looking into the woollen industry in Boston, which is the centre of this trade in the United States. Those associated with the industry facilitated our mission in every possible way, and as a result much useful information was gained. “ I cannot speak too highly of the very cordial reception which we received in every city visited in our travels through the United States. Mayors and responsible people in each centre and State officials showed us every kindness, and we were made to feel welcome wherever we went.

“Wo also took advantage of our nearness to Canada to make a brief visit to Ottawa for the purpose of discussing with Canadian Ministers matters in connection with tho trade agreement between Canada and New Zealand. We had had previously a preliminary. talk on the subject in New York with the Canadian Minister of Trade and Commerce, Mr ,H. H. Slivens, who had-come down to meet us there. Very useful discussions took place, and,proposals were put forwara by both sides which will receive the consideration of the respective Gov°rnments.” CONFERENCE NOT WASTED TIME Mr Forbes, in making reference to the World Monetary and Economic Conference, stated that it was a very valu- , able experience for. him and Mr Masters to have participated in a conference attended by delegates from more than sixty nations. “It was most intei’esting to hear from these representatives the accounts of how their countries had suffered during the last four years, and of the measures which thev had taken to meet the problems of the depression. We had thought that the measures adopted in New Zealand were somewhat drastic,” said the Prime Minister, “ but after learning what, many other countries had done in this respect we were forced to the conclusion that New Zealand had been relatively moderate in the steps that she had taken. ' It was unfortunate that negotiations for the stabilisation of currencies should have broken down at the conference, but under the conditions prevailing this hreakdpwn was inevitable. It does not seem to be possible to reconcile tho views of monetary matters held in the gold standard countries of Europe with the programme that the United States had to undertake. Other questions at the conference were also so complicated and far-reaching that it . was not practicable to do much more than to define and explore them in the time that was available. ' “ The conference has not been abandoned. It has merely been adjourned, and part of its work is being carried on by committees, but it is doubtful whether it will be reassembled before a much greater measure of real agreement is achieved among the leading countries, or whether the representatives of so largo a group of nations will be ever assembled by this conference again.” Concluding his remarks concerning the conference, Mr Forbes stated that in the matter of definite and concrete agreements it would appear that little had been accomplished, but that in tho wider and deeper understanding of the difficulties and experiences of other countries and of tho methods adopted for overcoming those difficulties, the gains had been very material. “ In addition to our work at tho conference,” continued Mr Forbes, “ both Mr Masters and I took tho opportunity while in London of looking into and investigating many matters affecting the welfare of the dominion. Wo maintained the closest touch with tho representatives of the New Zea-

land Producers’ Boards in London, as well as with the chairmen respectively of the Meat Board and the Dairy Board, who were in England at the time, and had consultations and discussions with prominent importers and others associated with the distribution and marketing of our primary products.”

The Prime Minister said ho felt confident that these contacts would prove beneficial to tho producing interests in New Zealand. “We also maintained regular consultation with representatives of tho United Kingdom and the other dominions on various matters affecting the Empire as a whole as well as the dominions individually. d)ne result of these consultations,” continued Mr Forbes, “ is to bo seen in the agreement on tho Empire monetary policy signed by Great Britain and the dominions and published at the conclusion of the conference.

“ One of tho proposals which loomed largely in our discussions with British Ministers and officials was that put forward by them for the quantitative regulation of the importation of butter and subsequently of cheese into tho United Kingdom. We maintained that tho matter was one which we were not in a position to decide until wo had had an opportunity of consulting those directly concerned —the primary producers of the dominion. We further suggested that it would be a considerable help if representatives of tho farming interests in tho United Kingdom could visit New Zealand and explain their difficulties directly to our producers, and in turn obtain firsthand information as to the problems facing tho latter. I am glad to say that as a result of a meeting with the president and representatives of the National Farmers’ Union and subsequent correspondence the union decided to arrange _ for Mr Thomas Baxter, a past president of the union and the chairman of their Milk and

Dairy Produce Committee, to visit New Zealand. Mr Baxter will arrive by the lonic on Tuesday. I feel confident that the closer mutual understanding arising out of this visit and out of the interchange of views which will result will bo a real advantage to both parties. “ It was a great pleasure to us on our return voyage across the Pacific Ocean to call at Rarotonga, and to receive a very cordial welcome from the Arikis, chiefs, and people of this beautiful outpost bf New Zealand. Very complete arrangements had been made by the Resident Commissioner (Judge Ayson) and the Arikis for our reception and entertainment, and a very enjoyable clay was spent by tbo New Zealand party. COLLEAGUES THANKED “ I am greatly indebted to Mr Coates, who has acted as Prime Minister, _ and to my other colleagues in the Ministry for shouldering the additional responsibility and Ministerial duties occasioned by the absence of myself and Mr Masters. Their task has been by no means a light one. and a good deal of credit is due to them for the manner in which they have carried the country through its difficulties during an anxious and stressful period. “ I have been pleased to hear that there are evidences of returning confidence and stability in commercial and financial circles in the dominion, and I sicerely trust that these signs foreshadow a growing and lasting improvement in the national welfare.” In conclusion, the Prime Minister said that ho felt satisfied that the visit of himself and Mr Masters had been well worth while. The knowledge and experience which they had gained would be used to the best advantage in the interests of the dominion. THE ARRIVAL The delegation arrived by the Makura late in the afternoon. The vessel, which was slightly delayed by rough weather, anchored in the stream about 5 ■ p.m., and tbo Government steamer Janie Seddon conveyed members of the Cabinet and relatives and friends of the delegation party to the Makura’s side. Captain Tweedie represented the Governor-General.

The weather was fine, but a strong northerly wind made the water so rough that after a few of those on board the Janie Seddon, including Mr Coates and Captain Tweedie, had been transferred to the liner, further operations in this direction were rendered impossible, and other members of tho Cabinet were unable to greet the returning delegates until the Makura berthed at Queen’s wharf shortly before 6.30 p.m. Colleagues and friends then boarded the vessel and extended a warm welcome h°. me to the delegation party, which consisted of Messrs Forbes and R. Masters, Mrs Forbes and Mrs Master, Profesor Tocker, Dr Campbell, Mr C. A. Jeffrey (private ecretary to the Prime Minister), and Mrs Jeffrey. On passing down the gangway Mr Forbes was given a friendly reception from the crowd of several hundred gathered on the wharf, and this was renewed when he left by motor car for his home. Mr Masters said he had no statement prepared, but ho hoped next day to have something to say concerning education and the revival in trade in Britain.' Other members of the delegation did not give interviews. Mr W. A. lorns (chairman of the Dairy Board) was also a passenger by tho Makura.