TRADE TALKS PLEASE MR. NASH

Chronicle (Levin), 31 March 1948, Page 3

TRADE TALKS PLEASE MR. NASH

(Per Press Association)

BETTER LIVING STANDARDS ANDMOREFREEDOM

WELLINGTON, March 30. " The following statemenb by the Hon. Walter Nash at the eonclusion of the international trade conference at Havana on March 24 was released tonight by the Prime Minister's Department. "The objective of most of us in coming to this conference, was to tfy to so organise world trade as to aehieve the pnrpose and objectives" set ont in article 1 of the Charter, a purpose ty) which we all subscribe. It would be good if there was as much agreement as to the means of achieving the purpose as there is on the pnrpose itself. There were, there are, and there will be real differences of opinion as to the way' the nations must go to aehieve the pnrpose and objectives. If, however, we„ get our objectives right, it will b'e easier to reach them. "The world 'at present is dissatisfied and in future will be less satisfied with the cruel disparities that are existing in living standards and oppo'rtunities to enjoy personal freedom. These disparities mnst be removed if we are to have personal freedom which is the rightful heritage of all- human beings. "More steps have been taken towards achieving this purposc during the past ten years than in any like period of history. It is fully recognised that the lifting of living standards — a better chancefor the people of all countries, a fnller iife, an ordered material world in which persons enjoy spiritual and mental freedom-— mnst be achieved. The Havana charter lays down the principles and possibilities that will lead towards- better living standards and greater freedom. New Zealand,1 as a small country, will endeaverar to live up to an d ' taita *its shaw of the responsibility necessary to reach that goal — a better world for, all and li'ot for ourselves alone. ■ , . , ■ ' £ When looking' at eohditions oi .the world, there is rhom for ,optimism even though so much pessimism preyails. * There j . fieyet ' ■ his ; been in histoTy p.ef ib(I ih; #hieh! : the p'eoples o.f one nation iii par-i ticular and other liatiOns in general, have supported oth'ers by gifts of the amazing range which have been provided. Lend-lease, Marshall Plan, Emergeney Children 's Fund and Unrra, are great and inspiring examples of snch aid. This willingness to provide the good things of life to enable others to live, is nnparalleled in history. . "May I give credit to the delegation and «Government of the United States of America. I believe it is their persistenee that has brought us as far as we have reached. Whilst at this conference they have maintained a strong tenaeity for principles. They have, ' nevertheless, shown appreeiation of other countries' difficulties and willingness to eompromise. There is mnch credit due to the deputy-chairman and other members of the United States delegatipn. This does not in any way qualify the great attachment of New Zealand to the British Commonwealth and United Kiiigdom, but only extends the area and takes in the countries of

North America and gives , them credit and responsibility for what is to come out of the future. It would bei dle to say there are no adjustments required in the Charter and it is probable that when the period of five years has passed, the provision for a review will lead to many. amendments and adjnstments, but ,• despite adjustments that may be reqnired, there have been great achievements. Oonsiderable Advances. "If we will look at The Charter and technical clanses covering international trade, freedom of transit, dumping, valuation, marks of origin, trade regulations, statistics and trade information, provision for customs .union, steps to amend or- abolish restrictive' busi-: ness prabtices, provision for ititergovernmental commodity arraligements, and State trading, all are a considerable advan'ce on „ any-; thing previously aehieyed. - • , "There has been agreement on two other very important principles — the general prineiple of redueing trade barriers and

favohred-nation' treatm'ent ^vith special' provision for British and other j. references. There are differences of opinion with regard to the use bf quantitative restrictions and subsidies and other "practices provided for in'jbhe Charter. It is possible, however, that as the dayspass we will see these in a difi'erent light and it may be that measures which are today thought to be dangerous may have got potentialities for good. The present text tends, to „ remove the graye dissatisfaction and feelings of injustice and frnstration. It -was felt by some when the conference commeneed that industrialised countries were determined to maintain Ijheir -advantages. That .was incorrect. The proposals, when adopted, will, in my opinion, give the necessary opportunities to nnderdeveloped eoqntries to utilise their resonrces and raise their living standards to the ulti•mqte advantage of all. Many of the raw materials of the underdeveloped countries .will, within the next deeade or so, be processed in their own conntry if the|people have the will To do so. . Ordered Material World. "The text is not perfect.. There is no such state as perfection. What we must strive for is infinite perfection, uphill all the way. The result will he dependent on persons and governments to' live up to the letter and spirit of. the Charter. Domination' eannot be permanent. Dictatorship is not f ertile. It cannot last. It is freedom that is desired but" it cannot come unless there is food to eat, clothes to wear and somewhere to live in1 healthy conditions. That is the -rightfnl heritage for all and t believe that the CJiarter will help to this end. "What we reqnire is an ordered material world. . Great. steps forward have been made towards this goal in Havana — an ordered material world so that wd can have personal and spiritual" freedom -so lpng as that freedpm do.es not. interf er.br ivith 'The vfifieedjim'r of others.'1' 1 | . ' \.- f;in„ j conelusipfi' • as ;I> jbee ; thd jCHahtbfi rieiSPgiiiseS1 the Ippsitidn ;of •underdbyelpped ebiiintrieb an^i^f0" .vides ways and fiieans for them to 'become- developed , ' countries and enables them-to take their place as eomplete eqnals with the alleged developed countries of the world. If the, right steps are taken productivity will be increased and living standards will be lifted. It is worth while recognising that if parts of the world have not sufficient resources inside their sovereign areas, then we have either to adjust the boundaries of these sovereign areas or make our surplus resonrces available to them so that they may aehieve a higher place in world economy which I think, in the long run, is the goal of the majority of nations. • . "New Zealand has had and may at the ' present time have some minor reservations. Our Government and Parliament will consider the Charter in its present text not only from the point of view of onr own people or of the people of the British Commonwealth to whieh we are proud to belong, but also in accord with the well-being of the world and purposes of the Charter."