DOMINION CONDITIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18691, 18 July 1932, Page 8

DOMINION CONDITIONS

THE WORST OVER.

PRIME MINISTER OPTIMISTIC. STEADY IMPROVEMENT PREDICTE7 CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday. Slating that New Zealand has seen the worst of the depression, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, expressed the confident opinion yesterday -that from now onward there would be a steady improvement in general conditions. Mr-Forbes said there were many signs of returning confidence, and this in itself was an important step toward recovery. Producers in New Zealand were paying close attention to means of Increasing production and improving quality. As Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research, Mr Forbes was in a position to say that there had been a number of promising developments. “ The upward trend of markets for our produce is encouraging,’’ he said. “People -have to a certain extent got over the shock o/ the sudden drop which took place.” Solution of Difficulties,

The arrangements made at Lausanne for dealing with the reparations question were the first practical step toward the solution -of Europe’s difficulties, said Mr Forbes. Others would no doubt follow. War debts had next to he dealt with, and Mr Forbes said he was sure that, if the question were tackled in a similar spirit to that which had prevailed at Lausanne, arrangements would he made to enable business to he carried on without the heavy debts and high tariffs which had largely brought on the depression. Tariffs were the third thing that would have to he considered.

“ The Ottawa Conference will be the Initial move toward the establishment of a reasonable policy in regard to tariffs within the Empire. It will start a movement which, I am sure, will remove many of the barriers now impeding the natural flow of trade between countries. The conversion loan in Great Britain seems to be a complete success. Great Britain has been an object lesson to the rest of the world, and her citizens have shown that they are willing to play their part in facing the situation. Such patriotism makes ono proud of the Old Country and to be of British stock.” position Decidedly Hopeful. Taken as a whole, the position Jn New Zealand was decidedly hopeful compared with that of a year ago. Improvements abroad were bound .to he reflected in New Zealand. One -of the best signs was the return to life of the wool market, which had been practically dead. An increased demand for wool would no doubt be reflected in higher prices. Prospects for the dairy produce season were distinctly better than they were last year. “ I feel that we are on the move up,” said Mr Forbes. “ One benefit that has oome from reduced prices for our primary products Is the attention whioh is being paid to improving quality and increasing production. More has been done in this line lately than for some years past. Producers are equipping themselves better to meet the keen competition which exists in the markets o# the Old Country.”