MR. THOMAS MAY TOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1934, Page 5

MR. THOMAS MAY TOUR

NEW ZEALAND’S INVITATION EFFECT OF QUOTA ON BUYING REDISTRIBUTION OF TRADE BRITAIN TAKING WIDE VIEW By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Rec. 7.30 p.m. London, Feb. 7. Interviewed by the Press Association after the New Zealand Day dinner at the City Carlton Club, Mr. J. H. Thomas, Dominions Secretary, said Australia had invited him to visit the Commonwealth; obviously he could not do so without also visiting New Zealand. It will be recalled that Mr. Thomas in 1931 completed arrangements for a tour of the Empire to prepare the way for the Ottawa agreement, but Mr. Ramsay MacDonald’s desire that all the Ministers should remain at their posts in the economic crisis caused cancellation. It is understood that on this occasion there is more likelihood of a modified tour being made. The New Zealand High Commissioner (Sir James Parr) urged Mr. Thomas to visit Australia and New Zealand at the earliest moment, assuring him of a most hearty welcome. Referring to a possible redistribution of the Dominion’s imports, Sir James said: “If you exclude us we will be compelled to seek foreign markets, which are unobtainable unless we agree reciprocally to purchase from foreigners, resulting in decreased purchases from Britain.” Mr. Thomas declared he fully understood the New Zealand farmers’ bitterness at the suggested restrictions. It was asking a young growing nation to act contrary to natural instincts to say it must not expand, but the British policy was designed to help the whole Empire. Mr. Thomas paid a tribute to Sir Thomas Wilford’s services as High Commissioner and welcomed Sir James Parr.