MEAT AND OTHER “QUOTAS.”

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1935, Page 6

MEAT AND OTHER “QUOTAS.”

It is somewhat difficult to see the reason for the Government’s hesitancy concerning negotiations in London regarding future trade arrangements between the Dominion and Great Britain. The issues are of enormous importance to the development, or even the solvency, of New Zealand, and while no one with any sense of responsibility can begrudge the Ministry' time for full examination of the proposals submitted by the Imperial authorities, it does seem necessary that it should know whether or not the Prime Minister or any other Minister should proceed to London for the purpose of continuing the negotiations. Australia is wasting no time. She is sending Ministers and experts to London, and if New Zealand adopts the same course the Government will have public opinion behind it. Mr. Forbes might do worse than follow the lead of Australia in the personnel of the Ministerial deputation, for the Ministers chosen to accompany the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth are those handling commercial affairs on behalf of the Federal Ministry. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Industries and Commerce would make a strong combination. Mr. Forbes knows the difficulties of the primary producer in the Dominion, while Mr. Masters’ commercial training and his recent experiences during his visit to Australia would enable him to give valuable assistance in trade negotiations with Great Britain. Mr. Coates, as Minister of Finance, has initiated a programme likely to demand his close attention during the coming months, while the London negotiations must be entered upon without much further delay. In all the circumstances the official statement promised by Mr. Forbes cannot be made too soon.