SHOULD FOSTER TRADE WITH JAVA.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 142, 17 June 1931, Page 7

SHOULD FOSTER TRADE WITH JAVA.

ISLAND’S POSSIBILITES IMPRESS MR A. F. WRIGHT.

The possibility of developing trade between New Zealand and Java was stressed by Mr A. F. Wright, of Christchurch. who returned this morning after six months abroad. Mr Wright travelled to England through the East Indies and formed the opinion that Java was a wonderful country. The question of increasing trade with Java should receive serious consideration at a time when new market# were so urgently needed. Business men should see for themselves what were Java’s needs and arrange to meet them.

He had been told, Mr Wright added, that the great K.P.M. Company which served the Indies and the East would be quite prepared to extend its services to New Zealand if any inducement were offering. Australia had the advantage of direct communication with the East Indies, but New Zealand goods had to be transhipped. Danger of the Dole.

Mr Wright condemned the dole as it was now operating in Great Britain. It would be disastrous if the desire of New Zealanders to help in alleviating distress should lead the country into the same mistakes as had been made in England. The scheme of unemployment insurance, as 'originally introduced, was commendable. Such a scheme should be self-supporting, the workers, the employers and the State all contributing. The demands on the fund at Home had now become so great that it had been supplemented from the Treasury to such an extent that the State was supplying much the greater part of the money. The onus was no longer on the man seeking work. If work, similar to his ordinary occupation, were not found for him, he automatically went on the dole. “ The Labour Government has allowed the scheme to get completely out of hand,” declared Mr Wright. “ Prominent people have said that the dole, as it now is, is having a detrimental effect on the character of the people.” Mr Wright anticipated the return of a Conservative Government at Home with a large majority at the next general election. “This question of the dole is the first thing it will have to tackle,” he added.