NEW ZEALAND’S TROUBLES

Evening Star, Issue 23145, 20 December 1938, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND’S TROUBLES

NO LACK OF SYMPATHY SYDNEY PAPER’S COMMENT Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY,. December 19. The ‘ Sun,’ in an ediorial to-night, says: “ The New Zealand Government’s troubles with external finance should not meet with any lack of sympathy in the Commonwealth.” It recalls that Australia was faced with a similar position and Mr Savage was now doing what Mr Scullin did in 1932. The steps taken on that occasion, amounting to actual prohibition of some imports and quota-fixing in others, were applauded by all who were able to forget party, and they were effective—they stopped the drift. The editorial adds: “There is naturally some interest for Australians in the British industries’ unsympathetic reaction to New Zealand’s troubles, as the Commonwealth’s own London funds are in process of depletion. The cure is either to discourage over-importing or to allow British manufacturers to bring Australia to a point at which she woujd be willing to accept a British loan in order to finance her imports and to pay interest on the goods she imports—a position the Australian public is not likely to accept. Not even to please Manchester is it likely that the Commonwealth or New Zealand will carry on that bad tradition.” lUESTIONS IN HOUSE OF COMMONS LONDON, December 19. (Received December 20, at 1.5 p.m.) In the House of Commons, Mr R. S. Hudson, Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Trade, in reply to Mr GarroJones (Labour) said: “ I have seen no evidence of a campaign of unfair discrimination against New Zealand. The letter from the Federation of British Industries actually expressed appreciation, of some statements by Mr Savage, while indicating _ that it might be necessary in future to press for modification of the Ottawa agreement with New Zealand in the event of the new policy having certain results.” Mr Garro-J ones: “ Does not Mr Hudson receive Press cuttings showing that a dishonest campaign against the Socialist Government of New Zealand is being conducted by the financial papers?” Mr Hudson: “No. I have no evidence of such a campaign. I think some statements are based on misapprehension of the letter from the federation.” Mr Garro-Jones: “Will you arrange for the Government to be informed of the references to New Zealand in the financial Press? ” There was no answer.