THE DEPRESSION AND THE PRIMARY INDUSTRIES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 215, 25 August 1927, Page 9

THE DEPRESSION AND THE PRIMARY INDUSTRIES.

(To the Editor.) Sir.—The above heading has been the subject ot considerable discussion throughout the Dominion by all classes of the community, and eighth so, because of the fact that the prosperity of the primary industries is so vital to the welfare of New id. It was therefore with much interest that 1 read your summary or Professor Belshaw’s address in the issue of the 22nd inst. My reason for encroaching upon your valuable space in connection with this subject is not so much lor the purpose jt criticising, rightly or wrongly, the conclusions arrived at by the professor, but more with a view to expressing the opinion that far too little notice is taken of our trained experts who voluntarily give so much of then time to the investigation of the problems so vital to the prosperity and progress of this Dominion. At any rate, what qualification has the layman to sit in judgment upon the findings of the Professor of Economics at the Auckland University? He ’S a gentleman who. though only recently appointed to the position, is well known for his researches into the problems of rural economics, and therefore quite competent to make the statements he has made without fear of contradiction.

The statement that the wage rate has no materia] bearing til i the present position will, no doubt, be strong!}’ criticised by certain sections of the community. The point is, what data do those sections of the community rely upon on which io base their attack on wages? Surely they do not profess to be more versed in the business affairs of the country than a man whose whole energies are directed upon sifting out and arranging jn comprehensive form material that will give the only satisfactory answer to these problems.

It is the opinion of not a few people that our politicians, our newspapers, and such other agents that play a large part in the guiding of public opinion, take little notice of the warnings and predictions >f tlm.se whose work it is to studv the prcblenis that the country is faced with from time to time. Moi’e so does this apply to our economists; while when it comes to the position as affecting the liie blood of tho Dominion, the primary industries. >t is about time we did sit up and take notice. In tliis connection if seem* to me most regrettable that New Zealand lias lost (even if onlv temporarily) the valuable services of Professor Condliffe, late of Canterbury College. Christchurch, and recently appointed to the position if Dire tor of Kesean h for the Institute

of Pacific Relations at Honolulu. Il these men are so valuable to other countries surely a young place like New Zealand has need of theii advice.

Those responsible for the destiny of this Dominion must either take steps to make themselves fully acquainted I

with principles upon which the solu tions of our problems are to be based or else employ the services of those who have been specially trained for the purpose in our own schools and universities.—l am, etc., G. W. SKELTON. Hastings. 24/8/27.