MANAWATU DAILY TIMES. MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1920. THE URGENCY OF SELF-HELP.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1588, 14 June 1920, Page 4

MANAWATU DAILY TIMES. MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1920. THE URGENCY OF SELF-HELP.

We agree with the “Mercantile Gazette” that both from a commercial and farming viewpoint the necessity for the presence here of a larger population was never more apparent. Here wo produce wool and meat and butter and cheese, and because we have no population to speak of we ship half way round the world, and then sit down and await the pleasure of Europe as to when she will send goods in return. Because of New Zealand’s insular position, it should be our chief aim to become self-support-ing then we would fear war less. Germany’s recent submarine activities should have rammed home this truth. To get the population here employment must be provided. Indeed, if good wages are available there will be no need to ask people to come; they will come of their own choice. The difficulty is, however, that when selfsupport is advocated there at once arises someone who wants the tariff increased on certain goods so that he can carry on manufacturing them in an inefficient way. This country cannot afford—and should not if it could —to protect the inefficient manufacturer by a tariff. But when an industry has established itself without such aid, or practically so, then it is good business to lend it all the legitimate support that we are capable of, and also to develop it to the full. The wool milling - industry is a case in point. All the woollen mills in the country are doing well, and so concerned was one large ware-housing firm to ensure its sources of supply Uiat it recently bought up several mills. Europe's after-war condition will prevent her exporting woollens in quantity for some years, during which time New Zealand will have to depend upon herself. Further, in consequence of Europe’s shortage there is a big woollen trade in China going begging. There is a splendid opportunity in this direction just now for this industry to be still further developed until we can supply not only our own requirements, but also to secure a good share of the China trade. Such industries as these provide employment for an excellent class of operatives, who in turn would be consumers of the farmers’ dairy produce. If we had a large body of consumers here to-day the present meat glut In Bondon would not cause so much concern, nor would the presence of Imperial Government owned wool in our stores blocking the shipment of the new clip, create embarrassment. Instead of the farmers passing ineffective resolutions. they would be more profitably occupied in supporting and developing those industries which would make for the consumption of their products.