NATIONAL PARTY

Grey River Argus, 4 July 1944, Page 3

NATIONAL PARTY

CAUCUS DECISIONS '' ■ * Export and Import Prices WELLINGTON, July 3. Current political questions, covering a wide range, were discussed today at a caucus of the Parliamentary Section of the National Party. The caucus was presided over by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland. It concluded its business late in the afternoon.’ A strong protest was registered by members against the Government’s decision to hold in private inquiries into the condifct of soldiers’ voting at the general election, and into engineering and workmanship and waste of public money on faulty Turakina and Fordell tunnels. The action of the Leader, Mr Holland, in immediately protesting to the Government was fully endorsed, and, in further protesting, th£ caucus expressed the opinion that matters involved were of such importance to the public that nothing should be withheld from the people. Mr . Holland reported on his recent tour from Kaitaia to Dunedin on a drive' for greater production of foodstuffs to assist Britain’s war effort. Members reported a response everywhere. They expressed their appreciation to him for his work and results assured, and undertook individually to further the campaign wherever possible. Following a recent informative tour made of Auckland industries by a group of members, arrangements were made for visits to a number of Wellington factories extending over three days from to-morrow by another group, w'ho will further study the conditions of the workers and the problems of industrialists. It was resolved to continue to press for the establishment of an export and import price level of the Dominion.

Mr Holland after the caucus, said: The caucus considered reports of special committees dealing with the present critical condition of our overseas trade, which has resulted in A need for two leading Ministers and 'two of the principal financial and trade experts of the Dominion visiting London in an effort to overcome results of mishandling of the sale of our produce overseas. Opposition members would welcome an agreement for the future disposal of New Zealand’s export products at prices and conditions to be mutually agreed upon, and covering a reasonable period of time. They particularly stressed the need for establishing an equilibrium between the price level of products exported and the price level of goods imported. They demanded that nothing final should be reached by those negotiating the agreement without first Parliament being given ample opportunities of full debate and consideration of the whole question of trade in the light of all available information. This is a question of supreme importance to New Zealand, as the prosperity and welfare of the people will be materially affected by any long term agreement coverihg the disposal of our exportable surpluses.” MONETARY QUESTIONS. P.A. WELLINGTON, July 3. Conclusions reached to-day at the caucus of the Parliamentary members of the National Party on international monetary stabilisation were re-* leased by the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Holland stated: A full discussion took place on proposals for the establishment of an international monetary stabilisation fund, and on a report of the Party’s special committee set up to investigate the plans. While the Opposition would welcome any organisation which would improve world trade and facilitate a free .flow of goods between nations, and prevent competitive exchange fluctuations, further comment would be withheld until the outcome of a conference now being held in the United States was known. Definite conclusions on important fundamentals of the' question were, however, reached by the caucus. They fell .into four groups as follows: (1) That any proposal to induce New Zealand to base its economy or currency on what was known as the old gold standard will meet with the uncompromising hostility and vehement opposition of the party; (2) That no international monetary arrangements should be permitted to include provision for interfering with New Zealand's internal economy and with the National Party’s plans for providing full employment for people. (3) That the Party agreed with a point of view being freely expressed in Britain that it was putting the cart before the horse to discuss currency matters without also tackling the vital question of commodity prices and price stability. (4) That it is imperative that there should continue to be the greatest freedom for the expansion of trade inside what is known as the sterling area'. While they did not wish to express any final opinions on probable outcome of the conference now being held in the United States, his colleagues, said Mr. Holland. Viewed with much concern any scheme that would give any other country twice the voting strength of Britain in the management of an international fund. The Opposition’s special committee would continue at further meetings to consider the whole question and its effect on the Dominion.