The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, August 19, 1937. DISTRIBUTED PROSPERITY.

Grey River Argus, 19 August 1937, Page 4

The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, August 19, 1937. DISTRIBUTED PROSPERITY.

While oversea trading cannot be balanced with mathematical exactitude, there will be strong endorsement of the Government’s policy that there shall in future be reciprocity. That is the meaning of the proposals which Mr. Nash' reports having submitted to the British Government, and which evidently inspired his negotiations in other countries. If exporters or other critics reckon any overseas country is entitled to something more than reciprocity, they should at least state their reasons. To allow imports from no matter what quarter the free run of our market, irrespectively of whether wages are lower than here, or whether the imports would strangle local industry, would be a short-sighted policy. Employers’ spokesmen are complaining that the recent industrial legislation has set a standard too good for the worker. They are prepared to ignore, the impetus which too low a living standard in other countries is giv- ' ing to a revolt against industrialism. They profess to be blind to the possibility that their enterprises might be ended were movements now being promoted to. be carried to their ultimate objective. Among the controllers of industry in this country there is no disposition to promote a better distribution of ownership. Thus the workers are obliged to seek security and betterment solely within the avenues of wages and conditions. A complaint is made that the biggest employers of labour have more onerous conditions to meet under the latest legislation than have the smaller employers. Would they prefer to have it the other way about? Which class of employers is the better fitted to concede a more reasonable standard? Then it is argued by the spokesman foi’ employers that, while the country is more prosperous since the new legislation took effect, the reason is not improved wages or increased employment, but rather highef prices for primary products. This is a fallacy. Even when primary > produce sells better, the proceeds ' are largely monopolised if wages ( are low and hours are long. Th. -re is a lack of commutative justice, : the workers being deprived of a j fair share of the product of their labour. Woollen manufacturers . admit busier times, but declare ; that competition is keener, and j costs of production are higher. ; In so far as the competition may . come from outside, two things are j called for. First, it is essential . that there shall be efficiency in < the dominion industry, and sec- : ondlv, reasonable protection from 1 unfair oversea competition. It is pointed out that the trade bal- -j anee is against the Dominion in ' the ease of Australia, and this ap- i

pears an instance where New Zealand textiles might be given, a. measure of protection. Australia, on her part, acts on the principle of excluding such competition, and could not complain of the Dominion doing the same. In Britain, the Government is slowly promoting a plan to restore primary production, so that a limit to the market for our exports’ there must be reached in due course. It is thus necessary to provide alternatives in the way both of a market and of employment in New Zealand, while at the same time seeking openings for reciprocal trading with other countries as well. .Hr. Nash’s mission has been timely and useful, as should be demonstrated in due course, but there is nothing in our internal or external marketing situation which lends countenance to those who would lower the people’s present tandard of living. Even the Opposition Leader has admitted that the aim should be to maintain the present standard.