NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22610, 29 June 1935, Page 24

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY

MR FORBES AND MR COATES HONOURED MR W. ELLIOT ON EMPIRE TRADE TASKS OF PEACE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) (By Are Mail) LONDON, June 8. 4bout 380 people, both men and women, attended the luncheon at the Savoy Hotel given by the New Zealand Socie'ty in honour of the Frime Minister (Mr Forbes) and Mr Coates). Sir James Parr, as president of the society, was in the chair. Others at the principal table were Mrs Forbes, Mrs Coates, the Earl and Countess of Liverpool, Lord and Lady Hailsham, Mr and Mrs Walter Elliot, Lord and Lady Hewart, Lord and Lady Balfour of Burleigh, Mr and Mrs Walter Runciman, General Sir Alexander and Lady Godley, General Sir lan Hamilton, General Sir Charles Fergussou, Sir Frederick an I Lady Leith-Ross, Sir Thomas and Lady Wilford, the Hon. S. Howard and Mrj Ferguson, Sir Edward and Lady Harding, Sir Harold Beauchamp, Lady* Buckleton, Sir Cecil and Lady Leys, Rear-admiral and Mrs Arthur Bromley, Mr and Mrs Thomas Duncan and Mr H. G. Dickie. Among those who had special tableß and their own guests were Mr R. S. Forsyth, Mr H. E. Davis, Mr T. B. Ching, Lieutenant-colonel, E. J. W. Lascelles, Colonel J. M'Naughtan Christie, Mr H. Carron-Scrimgeour, Mr H. H. Brashier, Captain H. J. F. Mills, Captain D. P. Simson, Mr Francis Deverell, Mr Hal Williams, Mr Ronald J. Harvey, Mr 11. W. Castle and Mr Erie Fitter. Mr Walter Elliot (Minister of Agriculture) was to have proposed the toast of " New Zealand" at the end of the programme, but he was due to answer questions at the House of Commons and he spoke after the loyal toast had been honoured. The New Zealand nation, said Mr Elliot, had won its spurs, both in peace and in war. The great achievements of the New Zealand soldiers would never lie forgotten. At times like these it was necessary to Ink up the comradeship acquired in war—the comradeship o! men who would pull together even in their last sufferings. Now they had the task of co-operation in peace, a cooperation which was as necessary as the co-operation in war. The tasks of war were temporary; the tasks of peace were eternal. The difference between a satisfactory solution of the problems of peace

and of war was the difference between a temporary achievement and one which would last for all time. INCREASING CONSUMPTION. For a British Minister of Agriculture to be at a New Zealand luncheon at which New Zealand lamb was being served reminded him of the episode of Daniel in the lions' den. But he had no sympathy with Daniel. The lions wanted more meat, and they complained about the quality that had been served to them. It was quite otherwise in the case of the British consumers. The finest quality of butter and lamb came from New Zealand, but there was more of it than was required. Great' Britain was not merely inteiested in production, but in consumption. Unless they could maintain and increase the standard of living of the Western peoples and the people who lived in these islands they would not achieve the constantly rising standard of consumption necessary to deal with the problems of production facing the British Empire. The British authorities had been in conversation with Mr Forbes and the other dominion representatives, and they had had to begin to work out what would require many years to fulfil. In spite of all the difficulties something had already been done. Two or three years ago the consumption of butter was 151 b per head; to-day it was 251 b per head. Unfortunately, the consumption of beef had decreased. A year or two ago it was 071 b per head; to-day it was only 601 b per head. Some machinery must be found to relieve Governments of the details of these problems. The best people to run the machinery were those in industry and trade. The political problems of the Empire had been brought very fa r forward, but those of economic co-opera-tion would confront Empire statesmen for the next 10 years. A MOVING EXPERIENCE. Sir James Parr, in proposing the toast of " Our Guests," referred to the time when the Mnssey party tried to dislodge Mr Forbes from his constituency. " He sat stubbornly and said, ' No,' " said the High Commissioner. "That was the essence of his life. He is slow to make up his mind, but ouce he makes it up nothing can shift George Forbes from that position." The people of New Zealand looked upon their Prime Minister as an honest, straightforward man, ready to do his best for his beloved native country. Mr Forbes had been through all the jubilee festivities and had had the most moving experiences of his life. " I shall never forget," said Sir James, "going into the presence of their Majesties in their private room and listening

to the addresses of the four Prime Ministers. It was then one realised the solidarity of the Great British Empire.' As regards Mr Coates, he was the author of the new deal : n New Zealand. Whether there were differences of opinion or not about the various measures, there was only one opinion about the initiative, the courage, and the driving force of Gordon Coates. NO COMPLAINTS AGAINST MR ELLIOT. After thanking Sir James Parr for his complimeuts, the New Zealand Society for their hospitality, and the distinguished guests for their presence, Mr Forbes said that the affairs of New Zealand had certainly improved after five gruelling years. The people had had to bear their burdens and make their sacrifices, but it was encouraging after what they had gone through to hear them say: " You have had a difficult task, and you have done your best for the country. You have been in the position of responsibility, and you have had to do things, and we will back you up." Mr Forbes complimented the High Commissio"ner on his new honour. The delegation had been, brought into very close contact with Sir James Parr with regard to the business lie carried on in this country, and they knew the very great value of his services. They appreciated very much the recognition that had beeii given to them. Referring to the trade discussions, the Prime Minister said: " We have had a great deal to do with Mr Elliot. We 'iave found, right throughout any discussions we have held, he has been scrupulously fair. We recognise the difficulties of his tusk, and in the circumstances so far as New Zealand is concerned we have no complaints to make whatever."' The mntter of over-supply to this country, said Mr Forbes, had been eased to some extent by New Zealand. The latest figures lie had had showed that the total exports from the Dominion in the first four months of the year were valued at £19,556,000, as compared with £23,048,000 for the corresponding months of 1934. The imports were £11.337.000 as compared with £9.685,000 for the four months of last year. Thus they had been able to decrease their exports, which should be for the benefit of Great Britain, and they had been able to increase their imports. DEVELOPMENT OF DOMINIONS TRADE. Mr Coates also quoted illuminating figures in his reply, showing that trade with the dominions had increased much more than trade with foreign countries. Exports to the dominions in 1932 were valued at £64,900,000. In 1934 they were £87,650,000, giving an increase of

£22,750,000. Exports to the treaty countries of Russia, Finland, Esthonia, Latvia, Fweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland, ar.d the Argentine were £48,000,000 in 1932, and in 1934 their value was £56,300,000, giving an increase of only £8,300,000. In replying to the toast of the chairman, Sir James Parr said he had had a letter from Lord Bledisloe, expressing his regret at not being able to be present, but stating that he was rapidly recovering his health, and in a week or two he would be about again. The excellent lamb that formed the principal course of the lunch was supplied by the Meat Producers' Board, and the apples were supplied by the Fruit Board.