DOMINION DELEGATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 249, 18 September 1933, Page 8

DOMINION DELEGATION

RETURN FROM CONFERENCE

ME FORBES REVIEWS ACTIVITIES

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Sept. IT,

New Zealand’s delegation to the World Conference arrived at Wellington by the Makura late this afternoon. The vessel, which was slightly delayed by rough weather, anchored in the stream about 5 p.m., and the Government steamer Janie Seddon conveyed members of Cabinet and relatives and friends of the delegation party to the Makura s side. Captain Tweedie represented the Governor-General. The weather was fine, but a strong northerly wind made the water so rough that after a few of those on board the dame Seddon, including lit. Hon. J. G. Coates and Captain Iweedie, had been transferred to the liner, further operations in this direction were rendered impossible and the other members ot Cabinet were unable to greet the returning delegates until the Makura berthed at the Queen s Wharf shortly before 6.30 p.m.

Colleagues and friends then boarded the vessel and extended a warm welcome home to the delegation party, which consisted of Rt. Hon. G. _\\. Forbes and Hon. It. Masters, Mrs l-'orbes and Mrs Masters, Professor 'locker, Dr. Campbell, Mr C. A. Jeffrey (private secretary to the Prime Minister) and Mrs Jeffrey. On passing down the gangway, Mr Forbes was given a friendly reception from the crowd of several hundred gathered on the wharf, and this was renewed when he left by a motor-car for his home. Mr Masters said he had no statement prepared, but hoped next day to have something to say concerning education and the revival of trade in Britain. Other members of the delegation did not give interviews. GLAD TO BE BACK.

CONTACTS IN LONDON

“I am very glad to be home again,’" said Mr Forbes, when interviewed. “It is no new discovery for me to find that our little Dominion compares more than favourably with the other and older countries of the world. “We had a very interesting journey through the United ' States of America on our way homewards, and had. an opportunity of seeing something of the conditions in that country and also of the operations in the early stages of the National Industrial Recovery Act. There is no doubt. that President Roosevelt is endeavouring to carry out a colossal plan devised to effect a return to a more normal state of prosperity in industry and in the country generally. It is a little too soon to judge whether the measures which are being adopted will have the desired results, but there is no gainsaying the fact that a good deal of support for the scheme is being accorded by the public generally, in the hope of success attending the efforts of the President and his administrators. It is a little difficult, too, to gauge how far the improvement in price levels which has taken place during recent months is due to the operations of the legislation. It will be recalled that about the time that the Act was passed by Congress there was definite evidence that price levels were commencing to rise owing to the influences of a wide variety of factors, and it must be assumed that these factors have continued to have their effect. In addition to the general rise in world prices, American prices, particularly of agricultural commodities, were given a special upward thrust by the heavy depression of the dollar exchange which had occurred since the gold standard was suspended last March. It must be remembered, too, that before the Roosevelt programme of recovery was begun, the United States was very near to financial collapse. The situation was, indeed, so desperate that the country was ready and willing to accept desperate remedies which would never have been considered in normal times. Some of the highest authorities in Washington informed me candidly that much of their legislation was experimental and that they did not know whether it would succeed or tail.”

“At Washington we were the guests of the President and Mrs Roosevelt at luncheon, and enjoyed a very interesting talk with our host. 1 was greatly impressed with the President’s earnestness and sincerity in . the great task he had undertaken, and with his friendliness towards New Zealand. "We had an opportunity of looking into the woollen industry in Boston, which is the centre of this trade in the United States; Those associated with the industry facilitated our mission in every possible way and as a result much useful information was gained. “I cannot to speak too highly of the very cordial reception which we received in every city visited in our travels through the United States. The mayors and responsible people in each centre, and State officials, showed us every kindness, and we were made to feel welcome wherever we went.

TRADE WITH CANADA

“We also took advantage of the nearness to Canada to make a brief visit to Ottawa for the purpose of dis-c-using with Canadian Ministers matters in connection with the trade agreement between Canada and New Zealand. We had had previously a preliminary talk on the subject in New York with the Canadian Minister of Trade and Commerce, Hon. Mr Stevens, who had come down to meet us there. Very useful discussions took place and proposals were put forward by both sides which will receive the consideration of the respective Governments.”

RETURNING CONFIDENCE,

THE WORLD CONFERENCE.

Mr Forbes, in making reference to the World Monetary and Economic Conference, stated that it was a very valuable experience for him and Mr Masters to have participated in a conference attended by delegates from more than 60 nations. “It was most interesting to hear from these representatives the accounts of how their countries had suffered during the last four years, and of the measures which they had taken to meet the problems of the depression. We had thought that the measures adopted in New Zealand had been somewhat drastic,” said the Prime Minister, “but after learning what many other countries had done in this respect, we were forced to the conclusion that New Zealand had been relatively moderate in the steps that she had taken. It was unfortunate that negotiations for the stabilisation of currences should have broken down at the conference, but under the conditions prevailing this breakdown was inevitable. It does not seem to be possible to reconcile the views on monetary matters held in the gold standard countries of Europe with the programme that the United States has had to undertake. Other questions raised at the Conference were also so complicated and far-reaching that it was not practicable to do much more than to define and explore them in the time that was available. “The Conference has not been

abandoned, it has merely been adjourned and part of its work is being carried on by committees, but it is doubtful whether it will be reassembled before a much greater measeure of real agreement is achieved among ithe leading countries, or whether the . representatives of so large a group of nations will be ever assembled by this Conference once again.” In concluding his remarks concerning the Conference, Mr Forbes stated that in the matter of definite and concrete agreements it would appear that little had been accomplished, but that in the wider and deeper understanding of the difficulties and experiences of other countries, and ot the methods adopted for overcoming those difficulties, the gains had been very material.

“In addition to our work at the Conference,” continued Mr Forbes, “both Mr . Masters and I took the opportunity while in London of looking into and investigating many matters affecting the welfare of the Dominion, We maintained the closest touch with the representatives of the New Zealand producers’ boards in London, as well as with the chairmen respectively of the Meat Board and Dairy Board, who were ill England at the time, and had consultations and discussions with prominent importers and others associated with the distribution and marketing of our primary products.” The Prime Minister felt confident that these contacts would prove beneficial to the producing interests in New Zealand.

EMPIRE PROBLEMS. “We also maintained regular consultation with representatives of the United Kingdom and the other Dominions on various matters affecting the Empire as a whole, as well as the Dominions individually. One result of these consultations,” continued Mr Forbes, “is to be seen in the agreement on Empire monetary policy signed by Great Britain and the Dominions and published at the conclusion of the Conference.

“One of the proposals which loomed largely in our discussions with British Ministers and officials was that put forward by them for quantitative regulation of the importation of butter, and subsequently of cheese, into the United Kingdom. We maintained that the matter was one which we were not in a position to decide until we had had an opportunity of consulting those directly concerned—the primary producers of the Dominion. We further suggested that it would be a considerable help if representatives of the farming interest m the United Kingdom could visit New Zealand and explain their difficulties directly to our producers, and in turn obtain firsthand information as to the problems facing iie latter. I am glad to say that a result of a meeting with the president and representatives . of the National Farmers’ Union, and subsequent correspondence, the union decided to arrange for Mr Thomas Baxter, a past president of the union, and the chairman of their milk and dairy produce committee, to visit New Zealand. Mr Baxter will arrive by the lonic on Tuesday. I feel confident that the closer mutual understanding aring out of this visit, and out of the interchange of views which will result, will be a real advantage to both parties.

“It was a great pleasure to us on our return voyage across the Pacific Ocean to call at Rarotonga and to receive a very, cordial welcome from the arikis, chiefs and people of this beautiful outpost of New Zealand . Very complete arrangements had been mnae by the Resident Commissioner, Judge Ayson, and the arikis for our reception and entertainment, and a very enjoyable day was spent by the New ZeaJand party. “I am greatly indebted to Mr Coates, who has ncted as Prime Minister, and to my other colleagues in the Ministry for shouldering the additional responsibility and ministerial duties occasioned by the absence of myself and Mr Masters. Their task has been by no means a light one, and a good deal of credit is due to them for the manner in which they have carried the country through its difficulties during an anxious and stressful period.

“I have been pleased to hear that there are evidences of returning confidence and stability in commercial and financial circles in the Dominion, and 1 sincerely trust that these signs foreshadow a growing and lasting improvement in the national welfare.”

In conclusion, the Prime Minister said that he felt satisfied that the visit of himself and Mr Masters had been well worth while. The knowledge and experience which they had gained would be used to the best advantage in the interests of the Dominion.