AMERICA'S PROGRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22161, 15 July 1935, Page 11

AMERICA'S PROGRESS

SLOW ADVANCE MADE EXPORTS FROM NEW ZEALAND DIFFICULTIES OF TRADE "I do not see any prospect of New Zealand, or even Australia, increasing her export trade to the United States for some time," said Mr. E. H. Robinson, a recently-appointed director_of Milne and Choyce, Limited, who returned to Auckland at the week-end after spending 16 years in business in the United States. New Zealand had only primary products to offer America, and that country at present was standing very firmly behind its own farmers. Business conditions within America were steadily improving, said Mr. Robinson, but the improvement would come much more quickly if the business community could feel more confidence in the present Administration. If they could be certain that the Government was going to pull with them instead of against thein it would be a very good thing. " Much Over-rated " Measures The national recovery legislation had had some very good features, including the elimination of much harmful price-cutting, and it was believed that this aspect of its operations would be retained. Nevertheless, the national recovery scheme had been much overrated. Conditions in many respects had been improving for 30 years before the advent of the National Recovery Act, said Mr. Robinson, and he believed that if the figures could be analysed it would be found that the Administration had not done sis much as it claimed.

Probably 90 per cent of American politicians were lawyers. Business men, it seemed, were not wanted as politicians, but if business men had a greater share in the Government of the country it would help to restore confidence. It was only fair to say, however, that the American Chamber of Commerce, a non-political body with no special axe to grind, had an influence of its own.

It was a question whether 20 per cent of Congress members were working in the interests ol: the country. President Roosevelt, however, was undoubtedly a man of integrity. The trouble was with his numerous advisers. It seemed that his task was too big for him. The great unemployment relief expenditure now planned was bound to affect the elections in November, said Mr. Robinson. He believed Mr. Roosevelt would be returned, but he would probably lose half his present majority. Loss of Mr. Hoover Mr. Herbert Hoover was the right man in the right place as President, but he was a statesman, not a politician, and that was why he failed. If he had been retained in office the country would not have had its present troubles. However, a number of experiments, such as the restriction of output, were being abandoned and things would return to their natural order. Mr. Robinson said he held American business men in very high regard. They freely gave information to visitors and were the most helpful people in business he had ever met. The American people generally were most i likeable and very hospitable. The outrageous criminal occurrences one heard of from time to time could usually be traced to foreign elements. During; the whole period of his residence in the country he never once saw anything in the way of criminal violence. As a result of measures which had been taken I Chicago, for instance, was now one of I the "cleanest" cities in the country.