“Trouble Ahead For N.Z. If Policy Not Changed”

Northern Advocate, 23 August 1945, Page 4

“Trouble Ahead For N.Z. If Policy Not Changed”

(Special.) HAMILTON, This Day. “There is no need to be pessimistic regarding Great Britain's long-term view,” said Mr W. Goodfellow, managing director of Amalgamated Dairies, Ltd., when referring to the result of ’the elections in Britain during an address to members of the committee of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd. There were in Great Britain more level-headed, capable and experienced people to the square mile, in all walks of life, than there were in any other country, he added, and he pointed out that New' Zealand was so absolutely dependent on the United Kingdom market that any serious trade decline due to an ultra-socialistic policy would cause very serious repercussions here. “For this reason alone New r Zealand should discontinue her selfish, exclusive policy of fostering uneconomic industries for the purpose of employing people in the cities at higher wages,” continued Mr Goodfellow. “The use of the import licensing system for this purpose might be astute political tactics, but the repercussions on our trade in a few years’ time, when food supplies become more plentiful, will probably be exceedingly unpleasant, especially if some of our produce is shut out of the British market. Surely it is in our interests, let alone being the only decent thing to do, to give every reasonable assistance to British manufacturers to regain their lost trade.” Mr Goodfellow added that in his opinion the British Government was going to be tough, because it would have to be, and the sooner New Zealand recognised that possibility the better. “Let us not forget, as the years pass by, to purchase British goods in preference to foreign,” he concluded. “By urging others to do likewise we can in small measure help the brave people of the Mother Country to regain their prosperity and world leadership, on which the future of our Empire depends.”