ALL-IN CONFERENCE TAKES PRACTICAL MEASURES

Chronicle (Levin), 23 August 1947, Page 7

ALL-IN CONFERENCE TAKES PRACTICAL MEASURES

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WELLINGTON, August 22. With "God Bave the King'5 sung as a seal to an individua] pledge of loyalty to it; a permannet . Helping Britain Committee advisory to tlie Government and deseribed by the - Prmie Minister as the ' ' general staffi" in the fight against the present economic crisis; was set up today as the final aet of the three-day aid to Britain conference of all inajor organisations in New Zealand. The Helping Britain Committee eonsists of four employers and four vvorkers presided over bv Mr. F. P. Walsh, president of the Searaen's IJnion. The employers' representatives are Mr. H. E. Blvtle ($cting-presiilent of Federated Farmers), Mr. W. J. Truscott (president of the, New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation), Mr. D. 'A. Robertson (chainuan of the Overseas Shipping Allotment Committee) aud Mr. H. Anderson (president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce):- The workers representatives are Hou. R. Eddv (expresident of the N.Z. Workers' IJnion), Mr. II. G. Kilpatrick (secertary of the Canterbury Freezing Workers' IJnion), Mr. F. Crook (secretary of the N.Z. Miners' Union) and Mr. K. McL Baxter (secretary of the N.Z. Federation of Balfour). Tlie committee has power to co-opt members as ocmsion may arise and is constituted to furtlier the objectives recommended by the conference and "advise 011 sueh matters as the Government may refer to it for examination or consideration. " When the full conference, met this afternoon the chairman of ihe production and trade committee, Mr. Walsli, present ed its iinal report. He read each .■ecommendation and added explanatory details 011 behalf of the committee. Ihe subjects were decided as foilow, sonie after debate, but ail without a disenting voice: — Tlre confeTence strongly advocates that measures should be taken howard ibt^ining the most material, towai'd .naximum production both for export and the satisfaction of essential conjumer goods in New Zealand. Toward this end hotli voluntary efforts and inentives should he directed towards givng encouragement to production oi essential commodities in priority to production of goods which, in present circumstances, must he regarded as having a lower order of priority. Efficient use of Trausport : (a) The .mportance of a rapid discharge oi raihvay wagons is stressed and tlie set- , ing up of local trausport conimittees representati ve of road trausport, the railways, sliipping, harboui boards and tlie producers' and workers' organisations concerned, should be investigated, sueh conimittees to have power to make recommeiidations lo the Natioual JLnlustrial Eniergency Rouncil. (b) It is essential that ihe maximum use should >ie made of all available road transport and it is recommended that trausport icensing authorities consider the relmval of all restrictions on back load-

ing and commodities to be carried. Fertilisers: An immediate investigaI ion should be made into meaus for expediting the manufacture aud delivery of fertiliser on to farms in the next two to three months, if possible, up to ai cast 50 ]>er cent« above the norma!- output [)er 111011th at present planned. it may be necessary for farmers to be given the right to transport fertilisers or neighbours. Farm Machinery: The Government is recommended to lii't iminediately the present import restrictions which exist 11 regard to farm niacliinery such as ultivators, ploughs, harrows, discs, havrakes, etc., which are now totally restricted and in regard to other items of .'aria machinery which are now partially restricted. Calf Skins aud Woolly Hheepskins: A11 examination should be made to asertain the exteut to which calf skins, woolly sheep skins and piekled jielts are being diverted from export to the manufacture of non-essential commodities. Goalmining: The conference agrees that the provision of accommodation at miniug tovvnships should 'be given . tlie highest practical priority as a meaus towards attracting men to and retaining tliem in ihe industry. The conference agrees that Ihe industry should have No. 1 priority for the use of earthmoving and other machinery for open eut work and that tliere 11111st be a lirst

priority for importation of sucli miniii" machinery as is required for the working of the existiug niines and for the openiiig up of new ones. j Dollar Hxpenditure: Tlie Goveriimenf ■ is strongly urged to give most favour j able and immediate consideration to tlie ! following suggestions made by Af r. Attj lee, as to ways in which dollars may l>e I conserved by, (a) acceptance of a delay ' in the securing of supplies which are 1 liot of an ininiediate and essential cliar- ] ncter and (b) an examination of tlie jrelative essentiality of the capital | .vorks programmes, particullirlv those which involve dollar expenditure either directly or iudirectly. Tourist Haniings: All avenues should be exjilored to encourage tourists from the liard currency areas and in particular I'nited States, to visit New Zealand thereby augmentiiig New Zealand 's dollar earnings. Visiting Wrestlers, etc.: The conference reoommonds that tlie Reserve Bank kee[> a watch 011 the situatioii regarding visiting wrestlei;s and boxers ami Other entertainment involv'fng the renii 1 1 iinco of hani curreiicies, with a v-e«v to :v- ! rii-; iug ami ii possible" roduciiig sucli reinitt ances. Books and Periodicals: Books and. periodicals should be subject to a similar cut as in tlie case of newsprint, canlboard, jiriniing, writing and wrap piiig papcr. T!ie^(|Ui»st iou of canlboard and prinl i ng and u rapping pajier usagc should be leferred 'for examination to a permaiieiit conunit lee to be set up upon the con 1 erence \s recommendation. Jmports ii.iK.1 Bterling Assets: The

conference recognises that the utmost restraint in the expenditure of dollars and a policy of keeping the expenditure of sterling within the iimits of the» current mcome, requires sueh measures. of import control as vvill give ail possible preference to United Kingdom products. To tlus end an approach should be made lo the United Kingdom in an endeavonr to arrange a programm'e for essential imports and to ascertain which gooik the United Kingdom Government wisiies to reserve for export to hard currency countries. Any buiiding up of sterling assets which may result will add'to tkc current money suppiy within New Zea land to an extent that it' is not offset by current imports and this will create a sitnation requiring the continnance oi stabilisation and price control. This is fuiiy recognised by the conference m accepting the policy of holding sterling balances or increasing them. It should be recognised that the terrns of trade betvveen New Zealand and the United Kingdom are already adverse to New Zealand and that any further adverse movement would t'urther depreciate tlie value of the New Zealand sterling balances, including the value of, current sterling earnings, and undermine tne econoinie and linancial stability of New Zealand in following the policy of not embarrassing the United Kingdom Government by seeking world market prices for our produce. The terms of the trade position must be taken into account in order not to impair our own internal stability. Publicity: Enthusiastic public sup port for all proposals towards helping Britain requires that the people should be.kept fully informed of the problems involved and the reasons for the steps being taken. The conference theretore •rerominends the fullest use of all publicity media by the Government in cooper 'ation with all organisations concerned and that the Government convene a publicity comnnttee comprising repre sentatives of the appropriate Govern ment departments and outside orgamsatioms including the press.