SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1931. DIPLOMACY AND FACT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 193, 15 August 1931, Page 16

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1931. DIPLOMACY AND FACT.

Translating the language of diplomacy into colloquial speech, the cablegrams that have passed between the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Canada on the subject of tariff reprisals might be summarised as follows: — Mr Forbes: I am sorry we have had to put duties on Canadian goods, following your virtual prohibition of the importation of butter from New Zealand, but I cannot agree that we have made no effort to come to a better understanding. Telegrams, as you say, are a poor substitute for personal discussion, but I saw you in Ottawa and London, and nothing was done, and I never heard any suggestion that I should return through Canada. Your idea was to postpone matters till October. You have certainly been in no haste to enter into negotiations. Mr Bennett: Well, as a matter of fact, it was no use having a new agreement with Australia if we did not give their butter substantial preference. Anyhow, you were sending us nearly twenty times as much butter as Australia. Mr Forbes: And you were sending u 5 far more motor-cars and other things than we were sending you butter. Mr Bennett: As a matter of fact, we do not regard the duty as prohibitive. It is still a British preferential duty. Mr Forbes: But what’s the use of Imperial preference if it doesn’t lead to trade? Your tariff has stopped all trade from this end. Mr Bennett: Imperial preference is a fine thing, but we do not worry much about the balance of trade. Mr Forbes: Your idea of preference seems to be a bit one-sided. We buy where we sell, and intend to do so. But what about cleaning the slate and starting afresh? . Mr Bennett: Well, that is another matter. Hadn't you better wait now until after your general election? Mr Forbes: That, of course, is for you to say, but we are ready to talk business as soon as you are. These conversations may not cover all the points of a question which, as far as Canada is concerned, has a complication in the United States tariff barriers, but they do indicate quite clearly that New Zealand has been very patient with Canada, and that Canada, obviously, is not inclined to move at present in the direction of a trade agreement. THE LICENSING POLL. THE New Zealand Alliance is to be commended for the suggestion that this year’s licensing poll should be postponed for three years as an economy measure, and although, in theory, the decision ought not to lie with the prohibition party on the one hand, and the trade on the other, the public would gladly acquiesce in whatever arrangement these rival interests might come to. The only difficulty is that an amendment of the Licensing Act would be necessary, and the Government would naturally hesitate to reopen the whole controversial subject of licensing legislation at such a late date in the session. However, the difficulty might be got over by an»agreement among the parties not to hold up the passage of a simple clause postponing the poll but retaining the principle of the Act. THE VOICE OF THE MAORI. WITHIN the last few days the voices of Maori orators have been heard in the House, and their forcible speech and refreshing imagery might well make their European listeners humble. When Mr Makitanara pictured the march of party banners “ when the firebells ring in November,” lie spoke not to make good newspaper reading, but that he might move the assembly. And this is the secret of the Maori’s winning simplicity and of his power. Mr Taite Te Tonw told the House the day before that where he looked for wheatfields he saw a racecourse, “ and I was sad.” For the same effect his Englishspeaking colleagues might have strained their whole vocabulary. If members were to use the same sincerity of conviction and reason as impelled the old Maori chiefs fo speak words that were understood even by the untutored, and remained in the memory of successive generations, their message would be more effective, and they themselves would grow in wisdom. For clear speech comes only with clear thinking- ,