TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, 18th AUGUST, 1937. MR NASH’S MISSION.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3941, 18 August 1937, Page 6

TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, 18th AUGUST, 1937. MR NASH’S MISSION.

THE HON. WALTER NASH reached New Zealand last Saturday after an absence of ten months, a period that must surely constitute 'the longest visit to Great Britain and Europe ever made by a member of the New Zealand Ministry. Immediately upon his return the Minister of Finance released for publication what has been described as “ a comprehensive survey ” of the work accomplished. It is clear from this lengthy statement that Mr Nash has had a very busy time and has travelled extensively in Europe and America as well as in the United Kingdom in an endeavour to promote trade relations with different countries. The results of this prolonged tour overseas must be tested by the extent to which they reveal plans to implement the policy of the Labour Government. Before his departure on this important mission Mr Nash said frankly that the policy of the party “cannot be effectively carried out unless we have the goodwill of the Old Country.” He added that negotiations would be conducted “ with a view to Britain giving us a market for certain commodities which we can produce at economic prices. At the same time we will agree that whatever credits are established from the purchase of our products we in return, so far as is humanly possible, will buy goods from her that cannot be economically produced here.” It is from the standpoint of this declaration that the fruits of his mission must be judged. Candidly they do not appear inspiring. Apart from the meat and bacon arrangements with the Mother Country, Mr Nash’s survey of his accomplishments indicates in the main that Ins activities have resulted in nothing more than the making of a great many “ contacts,” and that these talks have made him hopeful in quite a number of directions of trade agreements being made at some time in the future; so that the definite results are confined to meat and bacon. As to the former, the new limits are not of any immediate importance since exports have not yet approached the previous figures. Still, the agreement must be regarded with satisfaction, since the avenue is left open for a further extension and development of New Zealand’s

trade in this respect. Much the same observations can be applied to the agreement regarding bacon, but here again it is disconcerting to know, on the authority of the secretary of the Auckland Provincial Butter-milk Pig Producers’ Association, that New Zealand, despite the increased attention being paid to pig-raising, was unable last year to produce enough baconers to fill the quota allowed her by Great Britain. Therefore, to take complete advantage of the concessions successfully secured by Mr Nash, it becomes imperative for production of both meat and bacon to be increased at this end. That is a matter which should be given earnest consideration and attention by the producing interests most vitally concerned. It is distinctly disappointing to find the position in regard to the dairying industry “ very much up in the air.”

“ The United Kingdom has not yet decided what its policy is to be in regard to dairy produce,” said Mr Nash. “ The prospect has been that there would be a levy put on New Zealand butter and cheese imported into the United Kingdom in order to give more assistance to Home farmers. The Dominion’s policy is definite opposition to any form of levy. On the positive side we have advocated regulated expansion until the needs of the United Kingdom consumers are met.”

This announcement will come as a surprise to many, as it was generally understood that the new British Minister of Agriculture did not favour the idea of a levy on Empire produce. Apparently, then, the British policy is still “ in the melting pot,” and the state of uncertainty occasioned thereby must react detrimentally in New Zealand. The position remains that the New Zealand Government is investigating the commodities that can be imported from the United Kingdom without ill-affecting New Zealand’s manufacturing economy, and that the United Kingdom’s policy with regard to New Zealand’s imports will be determined when the United Kingdom’s agricultural policy has been finalised. In these circumstances it is cheering to know that Mr Nash’s visit has “ extended the understanding and goodwill between New Zealand and the United Kingdom,” and that the “ discussions that have taken place have removed a good many of the existing difficulties.” However, in considering this aspect, it is significant that Mr Nash, reiterating the English viewpoint, emphasises that “ one point of importance was the necessity for the United Kingdom to ensure the production of the maximum quantity of foodstuffs from its own soil, so as to ensure that should difficulties arise that would lead to conflict among the nations, the possibility of a shortage of food supplies in the United Kingdom would be reduced to the minimum.” In the meantime, we presume, negotiations will continue, and in being forced to “ wait and see ” their result we can only hope confidently that the outcome will be advantageous to New Zealand. In other directions Mr Nash announces that a tentative trade agreement with Germany has been concluded and will be submitted to Cabinet and Parliament. Negotiations with the Netherlands are at a stage where the conclusion of agreements may be proceeded with, subject to clarification of one or two minor points. These are merely subsidiary proposals for opening small avenues of trade, for the report of the mission once again demonstrates unerringly New Zealand’s almost total dependence on the British market.