JUST ENOUGH BRIGHT SPOTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 271, 31 October 1932, Page 8

JUST ENOUGH BRIGHT SPOTS

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE. NEED FOR HIGHER PRICES. Wellington, Oct. 29. Some straight speaking was indulged in by Mr T. O. Bishop, the employers’ advocate, when the dispute in regard to the engineering industry was continued before the Conciliation Commissioner, Mr W. Newton. Mr Bishop said that it was impossible for New Zealand to maintain permanently a higher standard of living than obtained in Britain, the country New Zealand had to rely upon to buy her products. He was quite prepared to admit that there was something wrong with the social system which had brought about the present state of affairs, but that did not alter the domestic position of New Zealand. New Zealand was absolutely dependent upon overseas markets for the consumption of a large proportion of its products. •‘lf prices do not rise within the next twelve months we are done,” said Mr Bishop. ‘‘We are all hoping that there will be a rise in prices, but unfortunately there is no reason to believe it is coming quickly. I have been hoping that when the new export season commenced things would improve, but apparently there is not much to be hoped for this year.” . Ho pointed out that wool had fallen Id per pound compared with this time last year, and fat lambs, which have been the only source of profit to many farmers, had dropped from 8 l-8d per pound to 4 7-8 d and 5d per pound. There are just enough bright spots on the horizon, however, to encourage employers to carry on.