TRADE AGREEMENTS

Southland Times, Issue 22008, 6 May 1933, Page 4

TRADE AGREEMENTS

Persistent suggestions that the agreements with Denmark and the Argentine are reprisals by the British Government for New Zealand’s artificially raised exchange do grave injustice to the British Government and to British business. It is true that the , raising of the exchange had the effect of making the tariff against British manufactures higher, but the preference to British goods over goods from foreign countries was not diminished, and, as far as is known, there has been no statement from the British manufacturers that New Zealand’s action was considered serious enough to warrant anything in 1 the nature of reprisals. Opposi- ! lion to the high exchange policy ' lias been fairly general—we be- ! lieve that this step was a mistake | —but the retrogression of prices I does not afford convincing proof i that British consumers are boy-1 cotting the Dominion’s produce.■. Danish butter, owing to the; Danes proximity to the market, I has an advantageous appeal, and I it is probable that it is consumed I largely by the people who are bet- ; ter off, and the effect of the de- ■ pression in the Old Country must ■ be greater on New Zealand’s pro- ; duce. Anything in the nature of; a general aversion to New Zea- j land produce as a result of the , exchange policy would be shown ’ in the meat market, and the evidence does not support that con- ■ tention. While the agreements with Denmark and the Argentine ' may be criticized, it is not wise ] to jump to the conclusion thatl these are reprisals. The Argentine, though not a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, is one of Britain’s great markets, and much British capital is invested there. With these facts recognized it is not difficult to i understand why the British Government should be anxious to con- | elude an agreement with the Ar- 1 gentine to preserve her markets there. Denmark has depreciated her currency, and she has made an effort to retain her hold in Britain by concessions to British manufactures, the effects of which are to give British goods a preference over goods from other nations, but the depreciated currency was, in the case of Denmark, a barrier against imports | from Britain. The Danes have ■ struggled hard to maintain their i exports to Britain in face of the I tariff adopted by Britain, but ! these agreements, even if they are criticised as offending against the spirit of Ottawa, are not reprisals. | While the dominions cannot yet! supply Britain with all the food- | stuffs she requires, and while they i cannot absorb all her - manufac- I tures, the dominions must be ready to accept action by Britain to protect her own interests, just as the dominions protect theirs. ; To speak of reprisals is pernicious, and it confirms one of the warnings issued some time ago against governmental interference in i trade, particularly in connection : with the political twist given to criticism. The long argument on I the butter quota issued by Mr j Coates suggests a development of j the quota idea, which means re-! strictions of supplies. Mr Coates ! in this memorandum presents the j argument for and against, but I the preponderance of the argu-i ment seems to be on the side of [ restriction. When the quota pol-; icy was first proposed the danger | of a reaction unfavourable to the ! dominions as a result of the de-1 mands of British agriculture was! mentioned. British farmers to-, day are asking for restrictions on I all importations of produce be-; cause they cannot compete; against the flood of imports and ; low prices, and New Zealand; farmers must sympathize with '■ their attitude. The case against i restriction by quota is that it! involves Government interference ■ to a greater extent than we have \ at present, and the results of Gov- i eminent interference in trade are ; not satisfactory. Artificial restrict- ' tions to raise prices above thel real level of the market have been' disastrous to the producer in the j long run—the rubber planters • found that out to their great cost j —and this country should be extremely cautious about any extension of the quota scheme in view of the fact that it involves *

restrictions and a larger measure of Government control. Political opposition leads to some peculiar demonstrations, but one of the most pernicious is this suggestion that the British Government has made these agreements as part of a policy of reprisal. If the British consumer is accused of turning from New Zealand produce as a reprisal, we in this country must demand the most conclusive evidence before we accept the charge as proven. That evidence is not yet available.

Last evening the Government meteorologist issued the following weather report and forecast.—General situation: Another deep depression is crossing the Dominion to-day, while an extensive anti-cyclone still envelopes Australia. Forecast: Winds, westerly at first in the far north, otherwise moderate to strong south-westerly to southerly prevailing; seas, (New Zealand waters) rather rough to rough in the eastern Tasman Sea, strong south-west winds and rough seas; weather, unsettled and squally with rain at times, and in places hail, but light scattered rain only in the eastern districts; temperatures becoming colder, but conditions improving, however, to-morrow.

Advertisements relating to Dances, Meetings, Tenders, For Sale, etc., appear on page 2.

Mr Jack Doyle, who is to speak in Everybody's Hall on Sunday night, on Russia has recently returned from a visit to the Soviet Union, and is at present on a tour of New Zealand, having addressed meetings throughout the country. Mr Doyle makes a special request for questions as he considers this the best method of enlightening the public.

In the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., George Alexander Parry, aged 25 (Mr Gordon Reed) was further remanded for seven days on a charge of breaking and entering by night the warehouse of Whittingham and Co. on April 1 last and committing theft therein. Bail as previously allowed was renewed. A young man, aged 21, pleaded guilty to stealing a pair of shoes valued at 8/6 at Tuatapere on May 3. DetectiveSergeant Hewitt, who prosecuted, said that the accused was already on two years’ probation for theft. It was his third appearance within the last 12 months before the Court to answer charges in respect of small, silly kinds of theft. “I don’t think he likes work; that’s the long and short of it,” said the detective-sergeant. His Worship: “Perhaps he is tired and want? something to stimulate him.” The detectivesergeant added that he always endeavoured to say something in accused’s favour, but he could only emphasize in the present case that the man was simply lazy and would not wrok. The probation officer (Mr C. G. L. Pollock) agreed with the _ detectivesergeant’s 1 viewpoint and said accused had been an unsatisfactory probationer. “We’ll have to try to stimulate you and teach you how,” his Worship told the accused in sentencing him to three years’ Borstal detention.

John Murray, coal merchant, Esk Street, Tel. 207, sole agent for Wairaki Coal, advises that this favourite coal is again on the market and is still sold at the reduced price for cash.— Advt.

A whisky of character and distinction. DEWAR'S.—Advt.

Mr A. W. Martin, the well-known Rupture Specialist, from Dunedin, is now on his twenty-eighth annual visit to the centres of New Zealand. He will be at the Southland Club Hotel, Invercargill, from Tuesday, the 9th, at 10 a.m. to Friday, the 12th, up to 5 p.m., when he will leave for the Southland Private Hotel, Gore. Consultations free. Hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. —Advt.

Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferer writes 1 “Youi 1 treatment wonderful success, no more depression, no more pain, am very active now, can thoroughly recommend treatment to others suffering with Rheumatoid Arthritis.” Write Tavener, Arthritis Specialist, High street, Christchurch, for full information. —Advt.

ECONOMY IN CLOTHES is not a question of price but of value. J. H. Geddes and Sons, Tailors, Dee Street, offer their (genuine) Tailored Suits and Overcoats made in their own workrooms at prices that must interest you. (Sac Suits and Overcoats from £6 6/-). As well as studying your own interests you are also circulating your money in Southland to keep Southlanders employed.—Advt.

Ladies, have your new winter frock or coat made at Miss Noble’s, The Baby Shop, Dee street and you will get satisfaction. Your own material made up. —Advt.

Good value for your money is our aim. Raspberry toffee 8d per lb. Try our malt toffee, great flavour. Ayson’s 2 shops, 5 and 72 Dee street. —Advt.

Traced needlework. —We stock all the new —useful—and sensible goods at keen prices. Wicks’ Hose and Vest Shop, Ltd., Dee street.—Advt.

“TIT-BITS” HANDY BOOKS: “Puzzles and Games for all occasions”; “Candies and Sweets”; “How to Dance”; “Complete Letter Writer”; “Two Hundred Puzzles and Problems”; “More Jokes from Tit-Bits”; “Tell Your own Fortune”; “A Hundred and one Jobs in House and Garden”; “How to make yourself Attractive” —6d each; postage Id.—Hyndman's, Dee Street Booksellers.—Advt.

Just opened up newest goods for Easter. These goods go in at sale prices with the stock we bought at huge discounts. Best quality worsted socks usually 2/11 reduced to 1/9. See Carter’s advertisement front page.—Advt.

Canterbury sufferer who was crippled with Arthritis claims that he has been cured of this dread affliction with Tavener’s Arthritis Prescription. Hundreds of others broadcast ths good news of their relief. Write Tavener, Arthritis Specialist, High street, Christchurch. Five weeks’ treatment 17/6. —

STUNNING! That is the word that describes the MURIEL ASTOR BEAUTY PREPARATIONS, the complete series of which are to be seen at STEWART’S PHARMACY. If you are interested in seeing the most reasonably priced and attractive Home Beauty Treatment on the market just look in at Stewart’s and see “MURIEL ASTOR.” Ask for the Muriel Astor free booklet “The Women Of To-day.” STEWART’S PHARMACY, Dee street. (Advt.)

The annual meeting of the members of the Southland Electric Power Board will be held on Tuesday, May 9. The board’s rating proposals for 1933-34 will be dealt with at the meeting.

At the householders’ meeting at Five Rivers School recently five householders were present, and Mr A. F. Muir presided. The roll numbei* for the school is 18, and the average attend- j ancc for the year was 16. The annual statement showed a credit balance of £35 16/10. The following were elected a committee for the ensuing year:—Messrs R. Gibson (chairman), A G. Muir, jun. (secretary), A. F. Muir, C. H. Marshall and G. McKay.

The most prolific promoter of fires was the amateur electrician, declared Mr F. F. Gilmore, chief electrical inspector, at a meeting of the New Zealand Fire Brigades’ Institute in Wellington. Particularly was he to blame for the fuses he employed. Among the fuses discovered by Mr Gilmore were bits of No. 8 wire, blades of knives, part of a metal match-box, etc. The inspector showed a number of home-made electrical appliances. One was a home-made switch, with the terminals through a piece of wood contained in a metal-box. Another device shown was a switch made from a window fastener.

Hie second meeting for the season of the Greenhills W.E.A. class took place in the schoolroom on Tuesday evening. Mr R. Wylie was in the chair and there was an excellent attendance. The evening was devoted to the reading and discussing of two plays, these being “Fear,” bv V. Targuse, and “The Lovely Miracle,” by Philip Johnson. The members who read the first play were Mrs R. Wylie, Miss M. Govan, Miss D. Edwards, Mr A. P. McDonald and Mr M. Sutherland; and the second Mrs W. Boyd, Mrs J. Oates, Miss J. Boyd, Miss M. Oates and Mr E. Bremer. The discussion which followed the reading was very interesting, a large number of these present joining in.

DISCOVERED AFTER 12 MONTHS. Quite by chance a family on a camping holiday through Southland stopped for lunch on an old camp site they nad used 12 months previously. One of the children, playing about while lunch was being prepared, unearthed a tin canister from the undergrowth. Imagine the surprise when it was discovered to be the very tin of Tiger Tea lost by the family 12 months ago. The contents were in a perfect state of preservation, proof, if such be needed, of the wonderful flavour-retaining qualities for which this tea is justly famous. Tiger Tea costs only 2/6 per lb and may be had from any Grocer, —Advt.

Yesterday a tremendous rush was experienced at Thomson and Beattie’s millinery department, where hats worth from 12/6 to 15/6, were offered at 3/11 each. A large number of these hats are still offered at this price, in all fashionable colours, and all headfittings. Call and see them in our millinery department.—Advt. A NEW WAY TO BETTER GOLF. By Alex J. Morrison. This famous American teacher has improved the game of tens of thousands with this book. ' WHY NOT YOURS, TOO? Price 9/-, posted 9/6. N.Z. BOOK DEPOT, 49-51 ESK STREET, INVERCARGILL. —Advt. SIGHT IS PRICELESS; it has no> market value. Sight can be neither bought nor sold. It is a precious gift from the Creator. It is man’s duty to try to conserve and preserve sight. Do not abuse, but try to appreciate what sight does for you, by giving the eyes the care they require. Do not overtax them. When they become tired, rest them. If they need glasses, procure and wear them. Glasses should only be worn after a scientific test such as I use at BROWN’S PHARMACY, or they mst do more harm than good. My careful test apd exact methods of measuring and fitting glasses leave no room for doubt. Eyesight tested daily. Charges strictly moderate. Enquiries cordially invited. GEO. H. BROWN, M.P.S., 1.0.N.Z., Chemist-Opticiftn, 125 Dee street., Invercargill. (Over 21 years’ optical service.) —Advt ON OVERCOMING COLDS. To combat colds body resistance must be built up. That is one of the big secrets of Baxter’s Lung Preserver. “Baxter’s” banishes the feverishness, clears away frogginess and hoarseness, while its unique tonic properties help build up strength and resistance. That is why “Baxter’s” is so good for children as well as adults. Never be without “Baxter’s,” especially at this time of the year. 1/6, 2/6 and 4/6 at all chemists and stores.—* Advt.