BENEFITS OF OTTAWA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17949, 29 November 1932, Page 8

BENEFITS OF OTTAWA

REVIEW BY MR. COATES ADDRESSES IN MOTUEKA LABOR PARTY CRITICISED (Per Press Association.) NELSON, last night. The lit. Hon J. G. Coates addressed several, meetings in. the Takaka district to-day arid was enthusiastically received by large gatherings. The Minister said he regretted the necessity for the by-election. He had watched with interest the late member’s participation in political life. 'Mr. Coates referred to New Zealand’s dependence upon exportable products, and the necessity for opening uj) further trade with the countries of Europe on a reciprocal basis. Referring to pensions, Air. Coates said it was the Government’s first care that the pensions of the people should be preserved. Failure to face the position of falling revenue would inevitably lead to a breakdown of the source of supply, and distress and poverty .would be the result. In regard to soldiers’ pensions, he said that when the New Zealand soldier was receiving 21s a week economic pension and a war pension more liberal than that of any country in the Empire, could it. be said that lie had been robbed?

.Mr. Semple was reported to have said at Takaka on November 17:— “If anyone could prove that as a result of the Ottawa Conference employment was going to be made for more people, he would resign his scat and keep out of politics for the rest of his life. The only result of Ottawa in New Zealand was that it would put hundreds out of work.” VALUE OF PREFERENCES

“I will accept Mr. Semple’s challenge,’ retorted Mr. Coates. “My reply .is that the New Zealand agreement with Britain maxle at Ottawa affects our primary producers and every citizen in New Zealand 1 . The facts are that had we not arrived at an agreement with Britain, all our butter and dairy by-products, including apples, would, after November 15, have carried an .impost of a duty of 10 per cent, for all these products entering the United Kingdom; in other words, not only would we have lost our preference in the United Kingdom market, but our products automatically would have been placed in the same category as foreign products. That js, our butter exported to England would bear a duty of 15s per cwt., fruit would encounter a duty of 4s fid per cwt., and so forth. Apparently Mr. Semple did not know the effect of the Ottawa agreement. For instance, New Zealand butter has 15s per cwt. specific duty advantage over foreign butter, and at the present prices a. specific duty is invaluable, and definitely increases the problem of the foreign competitor in our market. Now, will Mr. Semple or anyone else attempt to deny this?

“The basis of preference,” said Mr. Coates, “is not, only of great advantage to primary producers, but also to those engaged in industries. It. is not only the man who produces, the product who gets the advantage, but also thqse who worked for him, those who transport his goods, rail services, shipping services, and many other avenues of employment, which depend' on the primary producer for existence. LABOR PARTY POLITICS

“With particular reference to apples and pears, we can say with ’reasonable confidence that, providing the quality is right , there is a wonderful future for the industry. The preference given at Ottawa in a great measure secures the market for the future. It also gives security to intending fruitgrowers. “The Labor Party claim to be national in their outlook,” concluded Mr. Coates. “They claim to have a plan, and to be concerned for the future of the country. They are endeavoring to persuade the people that they possess the secrets _of the solution for the present crisis, and could end the downward trend. If the

Labor Party are sincere, and possess a' plan of readjustment which will contribute to the national good and future welfare, one may well ask why it is that they remain aloof from participating in the joint effort towards rehabilitation. The opportunity was offered, and the invitation was given, them to join .in tlic formation of a National Government, but they refused.

“What are the Labor Party's proposals? We have heard much talk, but so far it has been impossible rather than anything constructive or helpful. AH that would seem to emerge from the flow of eloquence is that, summed up, the Labor Party s proposals indicate a mystic manipulation of the monetary system. Nothing of a definite nature appears, and one, is justified in concluding that the Labor, Party, in the country’s hour of trial, arc determined to dabble in, party politics.’