PACIFIC RELATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21063, 27 June 1930, Page 14

PACIFIC RELATIONS.

“ECONOMIC CHANGES AND EFFECTS” An address was given by Dr A. G. B. Fisher on “ Economic Changes in the Orient and Their Significance for New Zealand ” last night in the Geological Department of the University to members of the Dunedin branch of the Institute of Pacific Relations, Dr Benson occupying the chair. Dr Fisher first dealt at considerable length with problems, many of which haa not affected the people of New Zealand at all, . He went on to speak of the developments that had taken place, and suggested that the economical changes in the'East, particularly in Japan and China, would have an effect upon New Zealand. The changes that had gone on in the East would have a direct bearing upon economic development here. The three main types of change were taste and custom, size of population, and methods of production. The outstanding fact about economic conditions in the East was the poverty of the people, which would result in a low level. Production was, however, increasing, and would continue to do so. This would react upon New Zealand conditions from two points of view If it meant increased proauction of the things which we were making, we would regard Easterners mainly. as competitors! That was unfortunately an attitude that was common. But if it meant . production of other things that would mean, either directly or indirectly, an increased demand for some of our own products, and therefore an increase in our income, the position would be differently regarded. Instead of looking at the East mainly as a competitor, we ought to regard it as an essential consumer of our goods. Instead of hammering away at the United Kingdom with futile efforts to induce it not to buy Danish butter, but ours instead, we should look about for people "’bo at present were not buying butter at all, but who, if wealthier, would agree to buy ours. Poor people could not buy our products; people who were prosperous could. The most important condition for increasing prosperity in New Zealand was an increased prosperity of the peoples who were poor, and that meant particularly the Eastern peoples. A number of questions was asked at the conclusion, _ and Dr Fisher was heartily thanked for his address, '