DOMINION’S TRADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 10 December 1936, Page 9

DOMINION’S TRADE.

RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN. Received December 10, 12.40 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 9. Discussing migration at the Royal Empire Society’s dinner, Hon. Ay. Nash, wlio was the principal guest, said that from the viewpoint of climate, soil, and natural advantages New Zealand could support a greater population and at the same time raise her standard of living. This appeared to indicate that she could absorb more migrants, but it must be remembered that the Government’s first duty was to find work for the local unemployed. This did not mean that it would not consider a migration scheme, but it would need careful planning and competent organisation.

Amongst the changes in New Zealand since and before the War was a great increase in the output of foodstuffs. This did not moan that it had come to the limit of possible production. How, then, was it necessary to accept or assent to an inevitable standstill or the lowering of the living standard? There was already existing between .the Motherland and New Zealand an important amount of reciprocity, said Mr Nash. The latter’s conception of reciprocal trade had been very close to the ideal of free trade whereby each country concerned concentrated on the production or manufacture of the commodities it was most fitted to produce. The result had been that New Zealand’s trade with the United Kingdom was the greatest of all the Dominion’s. Mr Nash reiterated that her main market was the United Kingdom and she was now offering credits from sales so they might be utilised in the purchase of United Kingdom goods. “New Zealand has reserve sterling credits and has met, and can and will meet, interest charges on British loans, which will always be the first charge,” said Mr Nash.