ECONOMIC PLAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23206, 28 November 1938, Page 13

ECONOMIC PLAN

GOVERNMENT'S SCHEME OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES DECREASE OF OVERSEAS FUNDS AN APPEAL FOR CO-OPERATION [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] CHIUSTCHURCH. Sunday An appeal for help for the Government in carrying out its plan to cope with what he described as "considerable difficulties" facing the country was made by the Minister of Industries and Commerce when speaking at a Labour Party social. He also made an attack on people who, he said, were endangering the financial stability of tho country by taking money away.

"At the moment we are experiencing some considerable difficulties," said Mr. Sullivan. "You have all seen discussions and information about the fall in our overseas funds. Those funds are used to meet our overseas liabilities, to pay our debts overseas and to pay for our imports.

"The fall has been due to two things —partly to the fact that there has been some over-importing of goods and partly to tho fact that there is one section of the community which is not playing -the game and which is composed of persons who, having made their money in New Zealand, aro taking it out. Unpatriotic Action "I think that there are many people in/New Zealand who, while not of our political colour, do not approve of the unpatriotic action of those who are taking their money away from the country. They do not approve of this attack now being made on the Government and on the stability of New Zealand's finances. "It seems that there have been too many goods imported here, in proportion to our exports and to tho available money overseas," continued the Minister. "One way to face the problem is that we have now to build up our New Zealand industries to create more goods and produce more New Zealand articles. It is a big job to tackle and we cannot do it without the help and enthusiastic support of all our workers and of men or goodwill who desire the welfare of New Zealand to be protected. Financial Fight

"The Government has its plan," said Mr. Sullivan. "We have to get out and fight those who are fighting us financially in the same way as they fought up politically. I think we have the goodwill of all the men who want to see New Zealand's welfare protected." The Minister asked for the help of everybody in New Zealand, and particularly the' workers, for the Government. Much could be done by buying New Zealand-made goods. By doing that and helping to build up a local market for what was produced here, the purchasers not only hoped New Zealand but themselves.

Mr. Sullivan added that the Government had difficulties to face, but would surmount them and achieve the ideals of the Labour Party. In n few days a campaign would be launched publicising the plan the Government hadj that would only be tho first step in the movement; but the help of: all tho workers and all patriotic New Zealanders was asked for.