Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1939. BOYCOTT THREATS IN BRITAIN.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 July 1939, Page 6

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1939. BOYCOTT THREATS IN BRITAIN.

J'JIOUGII it may be hoped that they are of limited range and scope, threats in Great Britain of an organised boycott of New Zealand products evidently are not to be regarded with indifference. It has been reported that one large woollen manufacturing firm in England has already taken down adveitisements it had displayed in its factories asking people io buy New Zealand goods, and it has been suggested that this action may be followed up to the detriment of the Dominion. To anticipate any general boycott of our products in the markets of the United Kingdom no doubt would be to indulge in exaggerated fears, but methodical efforts evidently should be made to correct erroneous impressions which are tending in any degree to impair our standing in those markets. The presentation of the full facts will make it clear that the people of the Mother Country have no valid grounds for adopting an attitude of hostility to New Zealand. The principal fact to be emphasised is that there is no general threat to British export trade in any action that has been taken or is likely to be taken in this country. No other limit is likely to be imposed on our purchases ol British goods than our ability to pay for them. Our present trade difficulties (as distinct from- our’total financial and economic difficulties) are due almost entirely to the fact that during the last few years we have been buying more imports than we can continue to pay for. On that point positive and conclusive evidence appears in the. depletion of our sterling funds. Au adjustment of our buying to our purchasing power certainly can give no just ground for complaint in Britain. In re-establishing its position, the Dominion obviously should aim primarily at building up an adequate margin of sterling funds from which all commitments, whether under the heading of debt charges or trading liabilities, may be met promptly. In order to remedy fully the unsatisfactory position which exists at present it may be expedient and necessary to provide, not only for the payment of interest on loans, but lor a periodical and continuing reduction of our debts domiciled in London. In any case debt charges, in whatever magnitude they assume under an orderly and approved policy, must be a first charge upon the sterling funds derived by the Dominion from the sale of exports to the United Kingdom. The remaining balance of sterling naturally will be spent, as in the past, on imports, obtained in the greatest extent to which that is possible from British sources of supply. Boycott threats, even in detail and on a limited scale, are hardly justified against a Dominion pursuing such aims as these.’ The fact that we have for the time being outrun the constable where import trade is concerned has to be laced and there is nothing else to do than to rectify the position as speedily as possible. Had the present policy of import regulation not been instituted, restrictions on credit imposed by the banks no doubt would have brought about much the same general result. Even tentative threats in the United Kingdom appeal' the more unjust since New Zealand has long bought more British goods per head of population than any other Dominion or foreign country, and there is no immediate likelihood of that position being altered. We must, of course, be tree to buy from Britain the goods of which we have most need, and as local manufacturing industries develop the process of selection of imports, however it may be regulated, naturally must continue. Where the total volume of purchases is concerned, however, it seems altogether unlikely that Britain will have any cause for complaint. The effect of boycott measures taken against New Zealand would be to injure one of Britain’s best customers and therefore in some degree to injure Britain’s own trade. THE DIGGERS’ MARKET. QBGANTSED by Wairarapa returned soldiers in order to raise funds with which to entertain some of their Australian comrades of the Great War who will be visiting this country next year, the “Diggers’ Market ” which will be in full swing in the Masterton Municipal Hall tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. no doubt will get the unstinted measure of public support to which if. is so well entitled. A generous response has been made to the appeal for donations of goods to be sold and a range of stalls will be well stocked with attractive offerings. In addition a varied range of sideshows and competitions is being provided. It remains only for the public at large to muster in full force ■ and play their part as patrons and purchasers. This is an occasion on which to remember the great debt we all of us owe to the men who rallied to the defence of their country and the Empire in years of supreme emergency. Annually we pay our national tribute of memory and gratitude to those who gave their lives and to those who survived, too many of them grievously shattered in body or health by thenwar service. Gratitude to those who bore themselves so well and bravely should not be felt only on the national day of commemoration, however. Such an appeal as the “Diggers” are now making should evoke an instant response in the heart, of every good New Zealander. The purpose for which funds are needed is outstanding and noteworthy. It may, indeed, be called historical. The passing years are taking their toll and there will not be many more reunions of Australian and New Zealand veterans of the Great War on the scale and of the kind that is planned for next year. The i.nemhers of a large contingent of New Zealand returned soldiers who visited Australia hist, year to take part in the commemoration of Anzac Day in Sydney and other centres were treated with royal hospitality. New Zealand returned soldiers wish to reciprocate worthily in entertaining their Australian comrades when the latter visit them in. April next year —the Centennial year of the Dominion. Throughout New Zealand, and not least in the Wairarapa with its fine tradition of war service and its record of generous contribution to patriotic funds, the appeal of the “Diggers” should not be made in vain. A GOOD CITIZEN PASSES. JN the death of Mr ('. E. Daniell, Masterton has lost a good citizen and one who linked the present, with a past that to most people now seems very remote. The town was little more than a hamlet when -Mr Daniell came here fifty-nine years ago, and he made no ordinary contribution to its subsequent development. It stands to his credit that though he was engaged for many years in building up, from small beginnings, a large and substantial business, he gave throughout his active career an immense amount of time and energy to public and community service. -Mr Daniell took a leading part many years ago in helping to establish technical education in Alasterton and as time went on gave long-continued and capable service on local education boards, the Trust Lands Trust, the Borough Council and other bodies and organisations, including those of the church of which he was throughout his life a zealous and faithful adherent. In addition, he was for a score of years an active and useful member, and for four of those years an exceptionally enterprising and progressive chairman, of the Wellington Harbour Board. As a whole, -Mr Daniell’s record of service to the community was one of which any man might feel proud and which must on its merits inspire admiration and respect. Those who were not able always to agree with his ideas in detail on affairs of public moment may yet feel bound to declare that he set a splendid example of citizenship and of unwearied service to Ihe community. To the last lie never tired of urging and inciting others to lake an active interest ami part in community affairs. He was no orator born, but in his addresses, particularly to young people at annual school gatherings and occasions of the kind, there was no mistaking the earnest ami challenging sincerity with which he appealed for an alert and enterprising approach to the problems of life. As his own fine record of service bears witness, he had a keen appreciation of the supreme importance of an awakened sense of civic, duty and of cultivating in the young the spirit that is needed to ensure that duty being taken up well and worthily.