COMMERCIAL CRITICISM

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 32, 8 February 1933, Page 8

COMMERCIAL CRITICISM

Two resolutions recently passed by the executive committee of the Associated Chambers of Commerce strongly condemning the* action of the Government in raising the rate of exchange were read at a meeting of the Council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last evening. The second resolution concluded with the statement that the executive had "lost all confidence in the present Government." Mr. M. G. C. McCaul said he thought the concluding words of the second resolution were unwise to be made by any responsible body of men. At present there was only one alterantive to the existing Government, and that was Labour. The Council of the Chamber of Commerce should seriously consider that alternative. Mr. .E.. W: . Aekland said there was room for. difference of opinion on the exchange question. On the-other hand, there were1 the statements made by the Prime.Minister to two deputations in reference to it not being the duty or intention of the government to interfere with .the. late of exchange; and there. was. also. the. attempt made by Mr. Coates, after the recent decision in the House, to. stop. further discussion on the exchange question. The latter position was somewhat equivalent to that of a burglar breaking into a person's house and taking hjs goods and then asking what was the use of making a fuss about it. • Mr. McCaul remarked'that if the 25 per cent, benefit was gjyen.to the farmers, it was a question, whether certain privileges given to the. farmers in the way of free or reduced railage should be continued, . Mr. Stronach Paterson said they had been advised by one co-leader of the Government not to spend further time discussing the Government's proposals, but that they should now swallow them. The resolutions in regard to the exchange question passed by the executive of the Associated Chambers of Commerce were received. '