AS OTHERS SEE US.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18250, 17 November 1922, Page 8

AS OTHERS SEE US.

The cheerful tone adopted by Mr. R. W. Dalton, until recently British Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, in discussing trade prospects for the Dominion, is refreshing coming just at the present moment. The essential soundness, the recuperative powers of tho country are its sheet-anchor when all the world faces difficult days. Just now, for their own political purposes, many people up and down New Zealand are trying to convince audiences that the country is in a desperate condition. Generally speaking, it is upon public business that they concentrate ; all speakers do not confine their remarks to this issue, however. In any event, their pessimistic pronouncements are liable, if accepted, to cast a shadow reaching further than the business of the State. Many of those debating the subject, apparently needing to convince themselves before their auditors, go to extremes in sketching a state of depression, from which they claim power to rescue the country. Unfortunately these things, if said often enough, strike home to some people. There is also the possibility of their being quoted abroad. Very appropriately there comes from an impartial observer an optimistic estimate of prospects in New Zealand. Mr. Dalton had exceptional opportunities of forming a just estimate. He has a reputation for sound judgment in matters of trade and finance. No political prejudices colour bis views. His pronouncement, therefore, is welcome to those who believe that there is at hand a natural vecovery from a natural period of depression, despite the political prophets of evil.