"EMPTY SHIPS"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 88, 15 November 1939, Page 5

"EMPTY SHIPS"

MR DOIDGE'S CHARGE

MR NASH'S EXPLANATION

"This is either the platform chatter of a political irresponsible, or a half-statement of fact for party political purposes," said the Minister of Finance,, Marketing, and Customs, Mr Nash, when commenting last night on parts of a speech delivered at Edgecumbe by Mr Doidge M.P., says the "Evening Post."

"Words so often lose their meanings when they issue from the mouth of the member for Tauranga, that his talk of chaos and revolt has no more than a curiosity value," said Mr Nash. "But his reference to ships recently arriving at New* Zealand ports lightly laden, though true in part, were exaggerated; and, moreover, were so worded as to carry a w r rong and harmful implication— harmful to the unity of our people and to the full, development of their war effort.

Extra Ships Loading.

"If Mr Doidge knew the full facts, beyond what he told, he misused them, and abused his position as a member of Parliament, in an endeavour to inflame opinion falsely against the Government. If he did not know the full facts, then he had no business to pose as an authority and talk as though he did know.

"Ships have lately come to New Zealand lightly laden. They have come at the Government's request, and with the consent and assistance of the United Kingdom Government.

They have come to load cargoes, not to bring them. They have been extra ships, specially brought here —for a special export purpose directly beneficial to our farmers.

Lack of Shipping. "The United Kingdom asked for all the meat we could send. There was no longer a lack of markets; but there was a lack of ships. The shipping companies had to find extra tonnage, and to bring it here in a hurry, so that we might clear our cool stores. Now, because those extra ships came lightly laden, Mr Doidge has an attack of the economic horrors. Had they not come lightly laden, they could not have come at all then, Avhen we needed them. Had they not come at all, that meat 'would have been still in store. Would Mr Doidge have preferred it so? I am sure the fanners of the Tauranga electorate —even those whom he hopefully counts as his supporters—would not have preferred it.

Import Licence Position. "In imports the present position is just this: licences have been issued far in excess of the orders executed. Our imports this year to date have been almost as heavy as they were last year and the year before last. They are being reduced now, partly as a result of the licensing system, but also by export restrictions imposed by the needs of the United Kingdom Government. Owing directly to their manufacturing operations being diverted to production of materials in connection with the Avar, many industries in the United Kingdom have been unable to fulfil orders promptly, and shipment has accordingly been delayed.

Two of the more important items, from the point of view in particular of their occupying cargo space, which I could cite in this connection are iron and si eel and motor vehicles. Considerable delays have been experienced in connection with shipments of these commodities.

Meddlesome Criticism. "Meanwhile the plain fact is that in the twelve months to the end of August last, Ave imported goods to the value of £55,000,000. That was not done in empty ships," said Mr Nash. "So much for the terrifying story that Mr Doidge 'learned in Auckland two days ago'—and promptly put around his constituency; as also for his ill informed, misleading, and meddlesome criticism. The times being what they are, one would expect public men to be thorough in their inquiries, and reasonably balanced in their judgments.

In Tauranga, it seems, one is fated to be disappointed."