NEW ZEALAND'S BUSINESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21201, 6 June 1932, Page 13

NEW ZEALAND'S BUSINESS.

Sir, —It has always seemed to mo a wrong approach to tlio subject of this country's wellbcing to speak of the differing interests of tho various sections of the community. It is not a matter of adjusting differing and conflicting interests botween primary and secondary activities. It is a matter of placing them in their proper order and adjusting the mind of the whole community to that sequence and of keeping it there. Let us deal with fundamentals. This country depends for its incomo upon.—practically—ono source, that of primary production. Let us, then, think of it as New Zealand's business, and of everything else as based upon it, and proceeding from it, and of absolutely secondary—a very long way secondary—in importance to it! This is a hard saying to many, I know, but it will have to receive something moro in the future than tho facile lip service given to it at present. If that basic industry should fail what becomes of Auckland, for instance ? No secondary industry, not all of them, could avert ruin from Queen Street. But does our redundant city population realise this ? 1 am afraid not. If only we could put first things first. If only we could think of our country's prosperity, consisting in the proper handling of her one business; all consequent things must adjust themselves automatically. Whatever aids that one business is good; whatever tends to clog or impede it must bo rejected. It is quite simple. That is the touchstone that will have to be applied to every future proposal, to every present activity. So, seeing that New Zealand's business is primary production, the market where tho produce is sold is of the utmost importance to her. If by a short-sighted policy, dictated by foolish sectionalism, she refuses to buy in Britain, she inevitably reduces the purchasing power of the market where she sells, and so injures herself. Surely this should bo plain. And surely it should be no less plain that if, seeing that tho export of manufactured goods is vital to the very existence of Britain, wo go to Ottawa demanding much and offering nothing, that market upon which New Zealand depends, lock, stock and barrel, may of necessity be offered to other countries. Jason.