ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 18 July 1929, Page 5

ADDRESS-IN-REPLY

DEBATE CONTINUED DOMINION’S TRADE. UNSATISFACTORY ASPECTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 17. The debate on the Addiress-in-Reply was continued in the House of Representatives. to-night by the Hon. J. G. Cobbe who said that- when the tariffs were bc.insi considered the Government would take care that nothing would be done that would injure the farmers. Ecfcrrimr to the bank raite, lie said the price of money depended on world conditions'. The statement that it had cost the country £2.000,000 to change the Government could not be substantiated, and he disagreed with the assertion that the Reform administration had Jolt- the finances of the country in such a slate that a deficit, was unnecossauv.

Mr Cobbe defended the scheme of bringing English public school bovs to New Zealand .stating that while the cost was somewhat heavy, these young men would provide a desirable type of set.tier. He did not think it was right, however, that New Zealand boys aboutt find it difficult to obtain positions: on the land when English boys readily obtained employment, and be had made arrangements to , s ee that New Zealand boys should be given an equal opportunity.

The position in respect to trade with the United States was most unsatisfactory, as New Zealand had been importing exceedingly more from /that country- than it had been exporting to it, and if the United States tariff rates were increased against New Zealand, as had been foreshadowed, the position would be even worse. It was a pleasant contrast to compare the trade relations with. Canada, and he hoped the relationship between the two Dominions would he sti |! l further advanced. Trade with the East was unsatisfactory, as New Zealand bought three times as much ais it sold, though Japan’s purchases -of New Zealand wool had increased.

_Mr Cobbe firmly believed in an Empire economic union, but that state did not yet exist in the realm: of practical polities. It was regrettable that all parts of the Empire did not realise- how much could be gained by the development of inter-Empire trade. He knew no remedy for the unequal trading conditions with other nations than free tirade within the Empire and a a riff against foreign countries which hla.d imposed a. tariff against New Zealand. Mr \V. D. Lysna-r said he wished to make a personal explanation as to his position. He had always been independent and had put country, before party. He had' stood by the- Reform Party when in his opinion it had! done the right thing, and he had opposed it when it had done the wrong thing. He wolf’d adopt, the same attitude towards the United Party. He considered Mr Coates a. most suitable man to lead Parliament-. He knew the Reform Party had its sins:. Its leader had tried to do his best for the country, hut had been hindered by a section of the Reform Party which had acted as a clog in the wheels of progress-. That section had now been practically eliminated.

Mr Lysnar hoped the present Government would bring the efforts of the fate Prime Minister into full fruit. He said the only possible remedy for unemployment was tiro elimination of trusts. There would be no prosperity until that end had been achieved. He referred to the operations of trusts in England and America, -and 1 stated that the United States had realised the dangers of the system and had eliminated it. Feeding was now growing in England against these combines, andl he hoped the present Government in New Zealand would make a solid effort to deal with the matter. If it did so the prosperity of the country would steadily increase.

Air Lv'Sixa r com plained against the failure of British producers to endeavour to meet the requirements of New Zealand purchasers, and stated that if further protection were to he given British goods the manufacturers should sjee that their products were of the type New Zealand required. If instead of finding money for unemployment the G oiVernment should find finance for farmers to develop and improve their 'ands, the difficulty would disappear. He strenuously opposed giving • xuiemp/loyment relief to single men; they should h® made self-reliant; they should he told to get out of the towns and go into the country to look for wo>rk. The debate was adjourned and the House rose at 10.38 p.m.