MR NASH’S MISSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 28 April 1937, Page 8

MR NASH’S MISSION

RECALL SUGGESTED POINTED REFERBNCE AT MEETING The absence of three Ministers of The Crown abroad was the subject of pointed reference by Mr O. C. Mazcnjgarb at a meeting of the National |Party in Wellington on Monday (stales i the “PosL”). He was critical of the attempt by the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) to obtain a trade Treaty with Germany on the ground That it would be detrimental to trade with Great Britain, and suggested that he should be recalled by the ActingPrime Minister. “During the last General Election jeampaign trips to England agitated the ipolitical atmosphere like ‘chasers’ on I the movie picture screen,” said Mr (Mazengarb. “The Labour Party docs not talk that way now. Has it ever happened that three of our Cabinet Ministers, each with his own entourage, Tiave visited London together? Mr (Nash went there some months ago as a great financier hoping to adjust world markets to suit his own modern

ideas. If his mission has failed, it were better for him and for us that he should come back and say so frankly rather than that he should ‘fill in time” dispensing dinners to State officials in Berlin, and arranging to give some trading advantage to Germany. I suppose that his ‘good-will’ visit to Russia and Germany is a little slap in the face for John Bull. But the patriotic New Zealander who enjoys the protection of the British Navy will say, ‘shame on you, Mr Nash, choosing this year when Britain is concentrating on rearmament, and on the eve of Anzac, too, for arranging a formula whereby “made in Germany” will once more i appear on the manufactured goods ; offered for sale in local shops. I “The journeyings of Mr Nash have j already used up a portion of the extra i taxation which he imposed last year, I but I am sure no taxpayer would object to the expenditure of a few more ‘pounds upon an urgent cable from the i Acting-Prime Minister telling Mr Nash jto shake the dust of Moscow off his shoes as quickly as possible and not to i arrange any agreements with foreign j States until he reports to us on the practical results (if any) of his many conversations with the commercial men of England.

1 “People who read the newspapers have not failed to observe that the Governmnet is resentful of criticism. Groups of workers who criticise have learnt to expect a Ministerial tirade in the Press next day. Mr Fraser until recently stood alone, proclaiming ‘the eloquence of silence,’ but since Mr Savage went away, Mr Fraser has disappointed his friends by ‘having his attention drawn’ to various Press reports and pouring down maledictions upon the head of anyone who dared to criticise. Now those who understand Mr Fraser’s psychology know that he is a gentleman and that it is only when he is worried over the force of criticism that he loses his grip and descends to vituperation and abuse. The fact that he has now succumbed to the temptation shows that the Labour Ministers are on the defensive. A few more political scandals like the housing contracts, the Picot purchase, and the Scrimgeour appointment, and they will definitely be ‘on the run.’ ” Mr Mazengarb pointed out that Mr Scrimgeour was receiving a greater salary than the Solicitor-General, the Engineer-in-Chief of Public Works, the Director-General of Health, and the Commissioner of Police.