HIGH PRAISE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24003, 29 December 1939, Page 6

HIGH PRAISE

NEW ZEALAND'S ATTRACTIONS VISITING PARLIAMENTARIAN'S VIEWS ONCE WORKED AT WAIKAKA (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, Dec. 28. "I lived in New Zealand from 1903 to 1908 and I still think it is the best place in the world to come for a holiday." That was the opinion expressed by Mr C. G. Latham, M.L.A., when he arrived here on a visit. He is Leader of the Country Party in the West Australian Parliament and a practical farmer of many years' experience. "When I was in New Zealand I was with the Public Works Department, and I helped to build your North Island Main Trunk line," he added, "and afterwards worked around Waikaka, near Gore." He said that the Country Party in West Australia held 12 out of 50 seats in the Lower House and 7 out of 30 in the Upper House. "As far as Australia is concerned there is a serious problem to be solved on the question of markets," Mr Latham said. "This affects my State particularly, where there is a big wheat crop." Fruit was also affected, but most other primary products had been fully bought up by the Imperial Government. In fruit and wheat there would probably be a seasonal "carry-over" of about half the crop. Without available shipping it would be impossible to market the surplus, but the Commonwealth Government would purchase the produce and pay the farmers a minimum price. He pointed out that it was more convenient for the United Kingdom to purchase from Canada and the Argentine, which were closer and easier for the convoy system. Convoys could make several trips in the time required for one voyage to and from Australia Mr Latham concluded by saying that when he attended the Jubilee Celebrations in London in 1935 he met the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) and Mr Mark Fagan, M.L.C., and was greatly impressed by them. In some ways New Zealand's problems from the farming point of view were also those of West Australia.