TRADE AND TRANSPORT

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1935, Page 7

TRADE AND TRANSPORT

MR. LYONS’ PRESCRIPTION

AFTER-LUNCHEON SPEECH

Ipeb press association.]

AUCKLAND, August 9. Freer trade between the countries of the world, with particular reference to Australia and New Zealand, was advocated by Mr. J. A. Lyons, in the course of his address at a luncheon that was tendered in his honour by the Government at the Grand Hotel. No two countries needed to trade so freely with each other as did Australia and New Zealand, said Mr. Lyons. The gathering was presided over by the Minister of Industries- and Commerce, Hon R. Masters. The Mayor of Auckland, Mr. Ernest Davis, was present, and other guests included Mr. M. J. Savage and other Members ofParliament, also Australian and New Zealand Government officials, and prominent Auckland citizens. In welcoming Mr. Lyons, Hon. R. Masters said that, when visiting Australia, he had been greatly impressed with the possibilities of that country

if it were fully develdped. New Zea- , land would have a great deal to fear if agricultural development in Aus- > tralia took place on a scale relative to that in this Dominion. He hoped that when that came about, Australia would also develop its other industries as well, so ,as to find avenues for the absorption of its own butter and cheese. (Laughter). They in New Zea-

land had, perhaps, been inclined to be a little pessimistic, but in Australia' there was great optimism, in spite of past difficulties and of possible fut-

ure ones. He wished to remind Mr. Lyons of what the lattei’ had said recently in. Canada —that the trade balance with Canada was adverse to Australia in the proportion of three to one, and that, unless Canada spent more money with Australia, they could not continue trading. “We are in exactly the same position you were in,” said Mr. Masters, amid further laughter. ’

“What is -wrong with the world to-

day,” said Mr. Lyons, in his reply “is ' the tendency of countries to live to themselves. I do not think that there ■will be any real remedy, or a recovery, until there is freer trade. Increased trade means increased income, and I see that exemplified in the case of Australia and New Zealand. I am gratified to know that the agreement' on trade between Australia and New. Zealand has led to increased trade both ways.” Mr. Lyons said that he had appealed to Canada to reduce the trade disparity between that Dominion and Australia, as if any one country was : at such a disadvantage, and that disadvantage continued, difficulties- must be ahead. The trade between Australia and New Zealand'was only two to one. in favour of New Zealand, said Mr. Lyons, amid laughter. “We have got to educate our people in each country to trade with each other,” Mr. Lyons continued. “Trade has got to flow through the world Transport now is more efficient and rapid, and surely,’that is not the time to begin to shut ourselves in? 1 agree that the exchange of representatives must be of benefit always, and that these visits must continue. We intend to carry on discussions and negotiations with your Government for greater trade, and hope that, in the near future, those negotiations will be taken up. I look forward to the future feeling that we are going to be Jitter friends than we have been up to the present.” BRITAIN AND PEACE. “We are associated in an Empire which stands for the maintenance of world peace,” said Mr. Lyons. I believe that whatever Government us in power* in Britain, it will stand foi peace. \ While Britain has defences which earn the respect of other countries she will be a potent factor foi world peace. We of the Dominions are with her in that regard, and if wehelp her to hold that peace, the world will have peace. It is for uk to play iur part in backing Britain in maintaining peace. I would be proud to bl associated with her in that effort. When interviewed on the Mariposa, Mr Lyons said that while -the Empire renresentatives were in London, a general talk took place on defence fiom the British standpoint. The Biitish Government as usual took the vauous governments into its confidence aS tO jt functions during the day were followed by an evening reception arranged by the Australia! Va" a M0„» eo— their journey to Sydney by the Mariposa tonight.

MR FORBES AT SYDNEY. [BY CAQLI—I’MSB ASSN.—OOTTBWHT.I SYDNEY, August 9. Mr G W. Forbes had a strenuous round of entertainment to-day, but at only one gathering in his honour was he called on to deliver a, D’ th ’ { , a serious speech. Addressing the Mil iionl Club at a luncheon, he said he had observed some criticism regarcUnk tho outcome of the recent of Cabinet Ministers m the. Old t oun ?ry Ho .Uanfe.l U Invviluble that he would meet with criticism when he returned to New Zealand, but he was X prepared to take what was coining to him. (Laughter). He was equally confident that the greater the knowledge which Ministers had obtained, first hand, of other countlies and of world problems, the belter would it be for those charged with the responsibility of government ami for the countries they represented. Mr Forbes went on to refer to the meat discussions. He said that while the British Ministeis were bound to protect tho Interests of their own producers, they nevertheless were verv fair and reasonable and always were mindful of the Interests of the Dominion producers. Britain had treaties to observe, and, therefore, was not able to do what she would nice to do while those treaties existed, but when the treaties expired, more satisfactory arrangements with the Dominions would be likely to ensue. Ho regarded the future most hopefully, but much depended on the prosperity of the Old Country. Mr Forbes related his impressions of the King’s jubilee celebrations, which, besides being a memorable scene, revealed a profound loyalty and belief in the influence of the British Empire, and afforded a striking con-

trast to the confused conditions in other distracted countries. Mr Forbes and liis wife were the guests of the Commonwealth Government at a nrivate dinner at the Hotel Australia to-night. Federal Ministers and their wives were present, latter. Mr and Mrs Forbes attended a reception in their honour at the Carlton Hotel, arranged by the New Zealand Women's Association, the president cf which is Mrs’"J. W. Prentice.