GOVERNMENT DID NOT REVIVE TRADE AFTER DEPRESSION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 21, 5 August 1949, Page 5

GOVERNMENT DID NOT REVIVE TRADE AFTER DEPRESSION

(Special to Beacon) Wellington, Thursday

“Without doubt this Government came into office on the rising tide of prices. The whole of the world s economic affairs, following on the depression period, was then on the upward grade; yet the Government tries to tell the people that it brought this revival of trade about; that it brought about the increased prices that Britain pays New Zealand for her exports. Never before was such a stupid statement made,” declared Mr W. Sullivan (National, Bay of Plenty), speaking in the debate on the Imprest Supply Bill in the House of Representatives. “The value of farm production in 1932, which was the depth of the depression in New Zealand, was £49,200,000, .while in 1934/35 it had stepped up to £59,200,000, and in 1935/36 to £72,000,000. So prices clearly started to rise before the Government came into office,” he contended.

• “The value of factory production in New Zealand in 1933 was £17,700,000, and in 1935 it had stepped up to £20,700,000, and in 1935/36 to £23,200,000. Exports in 1932 were valued at £33,900,000; in 1934'35, at £44,900,000; and in 1935/36, £49,700,000.”

There were increases almost every year subsequently because of the war and other circumstances until the remarkably high return had been .reached that the country was now getting. “Prior to the advent of Labour in New Zealand we had less legislative control, we had less interference with our daily lives, and it may be correct to say, too, that we probably had more self-control, that our citizens were much mere responsible then than now, and that we could get better results,” added Mr Sullivan.