The Wanganui Chronicle. TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 5. 1935. FREE TRADE UPRISING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle. TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 5. 1935. FREE TRADE UPRISING

A I-TER the Napoleonic Wars there was a movement in favour of economic nationalism. The corn laws .were stiftened up for precisely the same reason that similar efforts arc being made I to-day, namely, that it was desirable io preserve agriculture. It was not until as late as the year 1856 that the last of the protective tariffs were abolished in England. The second half oi the century was the period in which the great expansion of wealth in the United Kingdom took place. Despite the movement towards recovery which has revealed itself in the world in general, it cannot be overlooked that this recovery movement is confined to the domestic area of economy and that it can be expected to run to definite limits and no further. Unless international trade is revived, then certain insults must follow. It must be recognised that the export trades are the most efficient, and that if they are sacrificed for domestic industries, then there is a lessened output of goods for humanity lo consume and enjoy. In other words, if the standard of living is to be raised, then if will be necessary for international trade to flourish. The fundamental necessity for a healthy volume of international trade has been known and appreciated all along. Nobody would think to deny it. What is interposed is a demand for each nation to be less dependent upon others, for the sake of safety and also for the purpose of providing' employment. After a devastating war the safety argument has a very strong appeal, while in the period of dearth which inevitably follows in Ihe wake of war the employment argument becomes almost irresistible. If is only after a period of time has elapsed that lhe insufficiency of these arguments becomes apparent to the general public. There are, at least, three world renowned economists who are to-day engaged in writing text books on the subject of international trade. The direction of expert attention to the subject must precede the attention of publicists of! a more general character, and it is after these leaders of public opinion become impressed with the necessity for the. implementing of international trade a movement will be started demanding that the barriers which are now being erected will be loveied. that period has not yet been ushered in, but on lhe analogy of the last century this new phase in public opinion is very near at hand. New Zealand is committed for many years to come to an international economy. She must export. If she cannot export then she must become a poor country. ’Therefore New Zealand has every reason for so conducting her affairs that by her example she will strengthen the forces which are making foi freer trade. The Government of New Zealand should keep this problem of mass psychology consistently before them and Ininsistent in the furthering of the international viewpoint.