CHANGING TIMES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 162, 10 June 1939, Page 11

CHANGING TIMES

POLICIES OF NATIONS. ENGLAND AND DOMINION. Factors which had brought about changes iii the policies of nations, developments in tiie scientific work! which had summoned a reorientation of national energy, and difficulties which bad arisen through . these changes, were touched on by Sir Harry liatterbee. High Commissioner lor the United Kingdom, in the course of a. speech at the annual dinner, last evening, of the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce. "There are certain difficulties to-day —and I do not wish to minimise I hem,” commented the visitor alter he had explained that his mission in New Zealand was to promote a greater understanding, between the l nited Kingdom and the Dominion, of each other’s didieultws. Fir various reasons the people in the Old Country were beginning to take a greater interest than ever before in tlie production of primary produce and foodstulls ol all kinds. For some time there had been growing a feeling at Home that the farmers had not received a fair deal. Having associations with farming, he had a certain svmpathy with that, and he was sure tlui't we in New Zealand bad. too.

The considerations of defence and national safety were the most compelling reasons, said Sir Harry. It was felt that there was no reason to rely entirely on the simply of overseas foodstuffs in a time of war, if war diil comp, and flint there should be larger reserves at Home. On the other hand, we in this country were beginning to turn our attention more to the establishment of secondary industries. These were both ontirelv natural developments, and the speaker felt sure that, with mutual understanding. ami a desire to understand the other's difficulties, problems attendant on these changes could be adjusted. "We were living in an age of change, of revolution.” Sir Harry proceeded. In his official lifetime there had been a vast improvement in Empire communications of all kinds, the submarine telegranli. wireless telegranhv. broadcasting and now the mail ’plane. The changed methods of coiiiniiinicat : on had rendered possible Hie new system of govern incut in the British Commonwealth that allowed of ■lav-to-da.v consultation between tlm Governments of the Empire, on which ‘■lie safety and continuance of the British Commonwealth depended.

IMPORTANCE OF REFRIGERATION To take another example, more closely applicable to New Zealand, there was refrigeration; that had rendered possible the development of tiie dairy and sheep industries of the Dominion, Sir Harry added. It was. indeed, no exaggeration to say that it was refrigeration that had made the New Zealand of to-day. While science had given us l<ncfits, it had also added to our difficulties and complexities of life. One man could now produce what it used to take several men to produce. A generation ago it was thought that" population might outstrip production of primary products and foodstuffs, and 18th and ID.tli century politicians said that.this was becoming the case. Under these eireiunslanees it had been thought that there could he no limit to primary production. and that the solution of the problem was to send people overseas to produce such products to send Home. Now, all that was changed. Tfiore were new problems that could he solved. hut that repaired patience for their solution.

"With the I lest, will in the world Great Britain must place some limit on the amount of primary produce that is imported,” said Sir Harr.v. “While for those reasons the United Kingdom has t.o place some limit, in applying that policy it is most anxious to take into account difficulties overseas. and. as it knows it, give the widest possible, measure of preference to Dominion produce as compared with foreign. And so, when it comes to the establishment of secondary industries, T feel sure that you will wish to recognise and nnprecintc the soeeial position of the United Kingdom. T trust that you will all make efforts in this new development, to fit in with the interests of the manufacturers at Home. I believe that the tiling can bo done, that secondary industries can he established in coordination with and in co-operation with Home industries, and not in antagonism to them.”