WORLD AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1934, Page 5

WORLD AFFAIRS

BRIEF REVIEW

BY ENGLISH VISITOR TO N.Z.

(Per Press Association—Copyright.)

HAWERA, Feb. 9

The importance of close Empire links anil the trend of world affairs in relation to .Bi'fctain were outlned in a public address to-day by Sir John Sandeman Alien, chairman of the commerce committee of the 'House of Commons, who spoke at the invitation of. the 'Ncjur"Zealand Master Grocers’' 1 Federation, whose annual conference is in progress at Hawera. He also referred: to tile war debt question, and situation in xvussia, and also to the possibility of the Japanese menace in the pacific. Tne conference had affirmed 'loyalty to King and Empire, and gave a pledge to give preference to Empire goods. Concerning war debts, Sir John said the attitude towards America should be that she had treated gold' iu such a way that she rnul,l not be na i in gold. He suggested JtSritam should pay America with goods and services. There was a very strong feeling in England that it would be necessary to go further and say the debts were incurred fo r goods bought at ridiculous prices, and as guarantees for other nations, also til ', t they were incurred long before American came into the war. Sir John said that, as regard New Zealand and Austraha, ho did not think there was anything to fear from Japanese menace in the Pacific. Japan’s whole aim was the expansion of her trade. He said the Japanese knew that war with America or a war in which England was brought in would smash them in trade.

He continued: “The Japanese would not mind war with Russia; and many of us would not mind if they did quarrel.” ■

He went on:—“To-day Governments were realising the life blood, of "the notion was trade. Japan had; that' idea better than any one else.

PRODUCE QUOTAS OPPOSED. N.Z. ADVERTISING METHODS HAWERA, Feb. 9.... • Opposition to the suggested quotas on New Zealand dairy produce was expressed by Sir J. S. Allen in an interview. H considered such a policy, very short sighted, and not without the element' of danger.. His opinion was also held by many ether members , of tbo House of Commons. There I were j. There was considerable opposition. It had to be recognised New- Zealand was a primary producing country. Anything that would tend to'restrict .her exports would naturally, have a reaction on the country’s development. New Zealand should have every opportunity to pay debts to Great-Britain. Referring later, in a public'address, to the market of Britain for primary' produce, Sir John asked why the iprice of New Zealand butter is dower there than Danish. ' He said: '“We, know New Zealand butter is as good, or better. The reason for the difference in. price is worthy cf close investigation. One possible cause is that many people in England mix up Australia- and New Zealand. I think New Zealand has to have a- much more distinctive method of advertising butter. It is not in the north, because vour whole system is directed from London. The Danes send butter to Newcastle and Hull. They have the markets* there. It is a grave mistake that New Zealand has not a distributing centre in the north as well as in London.”

PREMIER REFERS TO QUOTAS. ;; AUCKLAND, Feb. 9. The Prim© Minister referred to tbe quota system at the Royal Show. "So much depends upon the goodwill of Britain,” said Mr Forbes. “Would it he worth while to have a look at the matter? No doubt wo feel that a quota would be a disastrous thing for , ;ti young country like New Zealand. I hope a rise in the market wifi continue and 'do away with the agitation for the .quota. Yet I think it would bo wise to give some heed to these requests and complaints made by British farm? ers, bearing in mind'that at the end of 19135, we have got to have a renewal of the Ottawa Agreement.