MR FORBES IN AMERICA.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19053, 18 September 1933, Page 7

MR FORBES IN AMERICA.

NATIONAL RECOVERY. 1 ROOSEVELT’S COLOSSAL PLAN. SUPPORT FOR THE SCHEME. (By Telegraph.— -Press Association.) y- WELLINGTON, SUnday. "We had a very interesting journey through the • United States of America on -our way 'homeward and had an opportunity of seeing something of the in that country and also of the operations In the early stages of the National Industrial Recovery Act,” said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, who arrived by -the Makura from San Francisco this afternoon with other members of the New Zealand delegation to the World Economic Conference. “There is no doubt,” continued Mr Forbes, “ that President Roosevelt is endeavouring to carry out a colossal plan devised to effect a return to a more normal state of prosperity In industry and in the country generally. It is a little too soon to judge whether the measures which are being adopted 1 will have the desired results, but there is no gainsaying the fact that a good deal of support for the scheme is being accorded by the public generally in the hope of success attending the efforts of the President and his administrators. “ It is a little difficult, too, to gauge how far the Improvement in price levels which has taken place during recent months is due to the operations of the legislation. It will be recalled that about the/time that the Act was passed by Congress there was definite evidence that price levels were commencing to rise owing to the influences of a wide variety of factors, and It must be assumed that these factors have continued to have their effect. Rise In Prices.

“ In addition to the general rise in world prices, American prices, particularly agricultural commodities, were given a special upward thrust by the heavy depression of the dollar exchange which had occurred since the gold standard was suspended last March.

“ It must be remembered, too, that before the Roosevelt programme of recovery was begun, the United States was very near to financial collapse. The situation was indeed so desperate that the country was ready and willing to accept desperate remedies which would never have been 'considered in normal -times. Some of the highest authorities in Washington -informed mo -candidly that much of their -legislation was -experimental and that they did not know whether it would succeed or fail. / \ “ At Washington we were the guests 'of >the President and Mrs. R-o-ose-vel-t at luncheon and enjoyed a very interesting talk with our -host. I was greatly Impressed with the President’s earnestness an-d sincerity in the great task lie has undertaken and with his friendliness toward New Zealand. The Woollen Industry.

“ We had an opportunity of looking into the woollen industry in Boston, which is tiie centre of this trade in the United States. Those asso'ciated with tiie industry facilitated -our mission In every possible way, and as a result much useful Information was gained. I -cannot s-pcalc too highly of tho very cordial reception which we received in -every city visited in our -travels through the United States. Mayors and responsible people in each centre showed us every kindness, and we were made lo feel welcome whcrcever we went.

“Wo also took advantage of the nearness lo Canada to make a brief visit to Ottawa for tho purpose of discussing with Uie Canadian .Ministers mailers in connection with tho trade agreement between Canada and New Zealand,” concluded Mr. Forbes. “Wo had bad previously a preliminary talk on tiie subject in New York wl'tli the Canadian Minister of Trade and Commerce, the Hon. 11. 11. Stevens, nyho had -come down to meet us there. Very useful discussions took place, and proposals wore put forward by both sides which Nvill receive I lie consideration of the respective Governments,’*