MR. FORBES RETURNS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 September 1933, Page 7

MR. FORBES RETURNS

WELCOME AT WELLINGTON I IMPRESSIONS OF TOUR [per press association.]

WELLINGTON, September 17. . The New Zealand delegation to the World Conference arrived in Wellington by the Makura late this afternoon. The vessel, which was slightly delayed by rough weather, anchored in the stream about 5 p.m., and the 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 line, 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 the other members of Cabinet were unable to greet the returning delegates until the Makura berthed at the Queen’s Wharf shortly before 6.30. Colleagues and friends then boarded the vessel and extended a warm welcome home to the delega- '

tion party, which consisted of Mr Forbes, Mr Masters, Mrs Forbes, Mrs Masters, Professor Tocker, Doctor Campbell, Mr C. A. Jeffrey (private secretary to the Prime Minister), and Mr.s Jeffrey. On passing down the gangway, Mr Forbes was given a friendly reception from a crowd of several hundred gathered on the wharf. This was renewed when he left by motor car for his home. Mr Masters said he had no statement prepared, but he hoped next day to have something to say concerning education and a revival of trade in Britain. The other members of the delegation did not give interviews. Mr lorns (Head of the Dairy Board)

was also a passenger by the Makura.

•“I am very glad to be home again,” said the Prime Minister. “It is 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 opporunity of seeing something of the conditions in that country, and also of the operations in the early stage of the National Industrial Recovery Act. “There is no doubt,” stated Mr Forbes, “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 dhe desired results, but there is no gainsaying that 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 operations 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, were given a special upward thrust by the heavy depression of the dollar exchange, which had occurred since the gold standard was suspended last March. It must be remembered', too, that before the Roosevelt programme of recovery was begun, the United States were 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 higher authorities in Washington informed me candidly that much of their legislation was experimental, and that they did not 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 friendliness towards New Zealand. 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 u.s every kindness, and we "were made to feel welcome wherever wn went. “We also took advantage of the nearness to Canada to make a brief visit to Ottawa for the purpose of discussing with Canadian. Ministers matters in connection with the 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, the Hon. Mr Stevens, who had come down to meet us there. Very useful discussions took place, and proposals were put forward by both sides which will receive the consideration of the respective Governments.”

THE LONDON CONFERENCE. Mr Forbes, in making reference to the World Monetary and' Economic Conference, stated that it was a very valuable experience for him and Mr Masters to have participated in a conference attended by delegates from more than sixty nations. He said: “It was most interesting to hear from these representatives JLlie accounts of how their countries had suffered during the last four years, and of the measures which they had taken, to meet the problems of the (Repression. We had. thought that the measures adopted in New Zealand had' been somewhat drastic, 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 breakdown was inevitable. It does not seem to h.e possible to reconcile the views of

monetary matters held in the gold standard countries of Europe with the programme that the United States has had to undertake. Other questions raised at the Conference were also so complicated and far-reaching that it was not practicable to do much, mote 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 re-assembled before a much greater measure of real agreement is achieved among leading countries, or whether the representatives of so large a group of nations will be ever , assembled by this Conference again. ' In concluding his remarks concerning th? Conference, Mr Forbes stated that, in the matter of definite and concrete agreements, it would appear that little had been accomplished, but that in the wider and deeper understanding of the difficulties and experiences of other countries, and of the methods ■ adopted for overcoming those difficulties, the gains had been very material. “In addition to our work at the Conference,” continued Mr Forbes, “both Mr Masters and I took the opportunity while in London .of looking into and investigating many matters affecting the welfare of the Dominion. We maintained the closest touch with the representatives of the New Zealand Producers’ Board while 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 distr

bution and marketing of our primary products.” The Prime Minister felt confident that these contacts would prove beneficial to the producing interests in New Zealand. DAIRY PRODUCE. “We also maintained regular consultations with representatives of the United Kingdom and the other Dominions on various matters affecting the Empire as a whole, as well as the Dominions individually. One result of these consultations,” continued Mr

Forbes, “is to be seen in the agreement on Empire monetary policy signed by Great Britain and the Dominions, and published at. the conclusion of the Conference. One of the 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 the United Kingdom. We maintained that the matter was one which we were not in a position to decide until we 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 the farming interests in the United King-

dom could visit New Zealand and explain their difficulties directly to our producers, and, in turn, obtain firsthand information as to the problem facing the latter. I am glad to say that, as a result of a meeting with the President and representatives of the National Farmers’ Union, and subsequently 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 resu.lt will be a real advantage to both parties.' 1 “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 cutpost of New Zealand. Very complete arrangements had been made by the Resident Commissioner, Judge Myson, and the Arikis for our reception and entertainment, and a very enjoyable day was spent by the New Zealand party.

“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 MiMasters. Their task has been by no mtans 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 sincerely trust that these signs foreshadow growing and lasting improvement in the national welfare.” In conclusion, the Prime Minister said that he felt satisfied that the visit of himself and Mr Masters had been well worth while, rhe knowledge and experience which they had gained would be used to the best advantage in the interests of the Dominion.