The Christchurch Star PUBLISHED BY New Zealand Newspapers Ltd. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1931. A LEADER TO FOLLOW.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 279, 24 November 1931, Page 8

The Christchurch Star PUBLISHED BY New Zealand Newspapers Ltd. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1931. A LEADER TO FOLLOW.

NOT ONE FACT that Mr Forbes placed before his audience last night was open to question, nor did he make a promise or a forecast that was based on over-optim-ism or theory. His address was an honest statement of the events that led up to a coalition, and a simple rehearsal of the difficulties now besetting the country, the methods broadly by which it is hoped to overcome those difficulties, and a criticism of what Mr Forbes regards as the dangerous and impossible policy of the - Labour Party to bring about a return of prosperity by questionable and un r tried methods. It is creditable to the city that Mr Forbes had such a favourable reception. The people of New Zealand are intelligent enough not to swop horses in the middle of a stream, and they would be abjectly foolish to renounce the leadership of a man who, in a degree never before realised in this country, has the full confidence of people of differing political opinions, and also inspires confidence at the heart of the Empire, where the real credit of the country is appraised.

POLITICAL WARFARE.

r | ’’HE CONCEPTION of society as a state of war is never more dangerously in evidence than in scenes such as that which occurred outside the hall in which the Prime Minister spoke last night. It is obvious that the hooligans who rushed the doors and had to be repulsed by a baton charge were determined to obstruct the meeting, for if they had wanted merely to hear the address they had the loud speakers outside to enlighten them. Unless we are to be ruled by demagogies, there can be no toleration of this attempt to substitute a condition of uncompromising war resting on violence for a condition of free discussion in matters upon which good government depends. Social' unrest, bitterness, and retaliatory measures against the workers are the only crop that £uch demonstrations can sow, and the fact that these demonstrations occur only among the followers of Labour is the greatest handicap the movement could be saddled with.

A DEFENSIVE TARIFF.

' I 'HE RESTRICTION placed upon British imports .by the new tariff schedule should be considered in conjunction with Britain’s natural desire to increase her export trade which has suffered a serious decline. The first eight months of the current year showed that the excess of exports over imports in manufactured articles declined ,to £33.6 millions, as against £101.6 millions in 1930, and £168.3 millions in 1929. This situation, however, will be relieved, at least temporarily,.by the abandonment of the gold standard, making British goods cheaper in terms of foreign currencies. But even the advantage will be somewhat minimised by the increased cost of imported articles, and attempts at tariff reprisals such .as are already mooted in Germany. But foreign governments which have long ago taken protection behind tariff walls, must, admit in considering reprisals, that Britain has a right to do what they have done. Indeed “La Journee Industrielle,” a leading French financial journal, points out that these duties are for the reinforcement of local industries, and very significantly places a finger on a great weakness in British trade when it says:—“The supreme question is whether Britain is courageous enough to free herself from the shackles of tradition in industrial methods.” This is truly a vital question in the reorganisation of industry at Home. Rationalisation along the line of improved selling agencies and further research is badly needed, for the manufacturer must see that it is injurious to his interests to try to sell the consumer a slightly out of date article when other countries are adapting their products to changing tastes and fashions.