FUTURE POLICY

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19665, 27 August 1935, Page 3

FUTURE POLICY

MORE EFFORTS PLANNED. THE WORLD OUTLOOK. SURVEY AND CONCLUSIONS. (By Telegrapli.—Special to Times.) RANGIORA, Monday. “Now that we have dealt with the urgent measures of reconstruction — measures which are on the Statute Book and which are .being put into operation so that they may fulfil the intentions and policy of the Government —we can now’ turn to 'Consider what steps can be taken for the improvement of the conditions of life of all sections of the community,” said Mr Forbes, in concluding bis address. “We intend to make a special effort in 'connection with the unemployment problem in the hope of putting it on to a sounder basis and we intend to take every possible step within our power to stimulate industry in order that a greater number of workers may bo absorbed into the usual channels of employment. “So far as overseas trade is concerned we are paying special attention fo improving the quality of our products and to exploring to the utmost every possibility of extending markets. As 'the country is aware, wo have recently appointed a trade commissioner in Europe with headquarters . at Brussels and another in the United Stales of America with headquarters at Los Angeles. As opportunity offers, it is our intention to extend this representation to enable us to take advantage of any improved international conditions and any relaxation of present trade restrictions that will enable us to widen our markets.

The Housing Problem. “The question of housing is receiving our very careful attention and while in the United Kingdom the Minister of Finance and I devoted a considerable amount of time to investigating the remarkable progress that is being made there in this matter. We collected a great deal of information as to the action that is being taken by the Government and by the municipalities for improving the ■conditions in the 'Cities and Mr Packwood, un engineer of the Public Works Department, who is in the Old Country has been detailed to make & special survey of the .position and to ■collect all possible information, particularly as to the 'class -of building that is being erected and the cost of construction. “We have also under 'examination many suggested schemes for improving the social 'conditions of our people, including social insurance, health insurance, and medical attention, together with many other matters for social betterment. “Looking for a moment beyond out own borders, we find that international trade is at a low ebb. The value ■of world trade for the year 1929 was 68,641,000,000 gold dollars, while by J'933 it had fallen to 24,179,000,000 ■gold dollars, a contraction of 65 per cent. During the early part of 1934 Hie value was again falling but there seem to lie some indications of an improvement. Until international trade becomes freer and less restricted by high tariffs, quotas, embargoes, and other hampering regulations it is, however, impossible to hope for a complete revival of international trade as wc have known it in the past.

International Clouds.

“Prom the political point of view again, the international situation is most difficult. I wish it were possible to state with 'complete confidence that I 'believe all to be well with the world. Unfortunately it must be obvious to any competent observer of events that, all is very far from well. Indeed, it, is perhaps not, an exaggeration to say that there is more international suspicion and ill-will, and less guarantee of continued peace than at any time since 191*1. Ido not suggest that a disaster is in any way imminent or even probable, but it would be absurd to deny the fact that unless the nations of the world can find some better way than at present of discussing their mutual problems and of amicably settling their differences the world is by no means free from the danger of another catastrophe such as we experienced in 1914-18, though the very danger of tho situation may itself produce its own solution. The position is an exceedingly ominous one and calls for the most earnest effort of every wrcllthinldng Individual even in such a remote community ns New Zealand. “Last session I took the opportunity of laying before Parliament in a .Ministerial statement, a, short, summary of the position as it, was in February last, and since that lime the position has become still more eomnliealed and

' more cliftlcull by reason of the dispute liel.ween Italy and Abyssinia, which threatens (lie very basis of the eolleelivo peace structure, based upon Hie League of Nations fll, Geneva. We, ,hi New Zealand, remote as we are ! geographically, arc definitclj and ! directly concerned. A great many people feel horrified at the thought of war. T need hardly say that the. Government share Hu’s feeling to the

full and the people of this 'Dominion can rely upon if that the Government, will lake every step within its power and will exert all its inllucncc to prevent any war in future. “I do not propose to elaborate upon the present threatening situation of the controversy between Italy and Abyssinia further than to say that Great Britain lias been foremost among all (lie nations in her endeavour to find a peaceful solution. The, situation bristles with difficulties; but there is every reason to be proud of the action that the British Government are taking and their most, earnest, persistent and determined efforts in the interests of peace. In the face of very great diftlciillies the British Government have been steadily working towards a heller understanding among the nations of the world and we can all .join in the hope that in t he end their efforts will be successful. Worst of Depression Ovor.

“I am definitely of opinion, and my sources of information are wide and varied, that New Zealand has seen the worst of the depression. Tam saying lids not because t wish to create any false feeling of optimism, I am saying if because 1 am convinced it is I 1 think we may look forward with confidence to steadily improving conditions and to belter times and I know that, when wo have, achieved them we in this small Dominion wilt be able to look back with pride and with pleasure upon the manner in which we, faced these, apparent, insuperable difficulties and linallv overcame lhem