EXPORTS AND IMPORTS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 237, 4 July 1944, Page 6

EXPORTS AND IMPORTS

Price Level Equilibrium

A resolve to continue to press for the establishment of equilibrium between the export and import price levels of the Dominion was made yesterday by the caucus of the Parliamentary members of the National Party. "The caucus considered reports of special committees dealing with the present critical condition of our overseas trade, which has resulted in the need for two leading Ministers and two of the principal financial and trade experts of the Dominion visiting London in an effort to overcome the results of mishandling of the sale of our produce overseas,” said the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, after the caucus.

The Opposition members, added Mr. Holland, would welcome an agreement for the future disposal of New Zealand’s export products at prices and conditions to be mutually agreed upon and covering a reasonable period of time. They particularly stressed the need for establishing equilibrium between the price level of products exported and the price level of goods imported. They demanded that nothing final should be reached by those negotiating the agreement without Parliament. first being given ample opportunities of full debate and consideration of the whole question of trade in the light of all available information.

“This is a question of supremo importance to New Zealand, as the prosperity and welfare of the people will be materially affected' by any long-term agreement covering the disposal of our exportable surpluses,” said Mr. Holland.