Optimistic Views.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1922, Page 4

Optimistic Views.

OF TRADE POSSIBILITIES

WELLINGTON, June 20

At the luncheon of the New Zealand Association of British manufacturers and Agents, at which the Prime Minister and the Hon. Downic Stewart were guests, Air Afassey claimed that the present Parliament ha r l not been altogether unsuccessful in solving many difficult problems in relation to the tariff, financial stringency and post-war reconstruction. Referring to Imperial preference, he stated that, for a long time past lie had made no secrot oi the fact that lie was strongly in favour of preference by Customs duties as between the countries of the Empire and the Afotherlnnd. ’Last session Now Zealand was fortunate enough to be able to give substantial advantage to Britain by way of sucli duties. He did not think the country would regret it. Speaking from memory, New Zealand had increased by 140 per cent the number of commodities upon which preference was given to Britain. There were 200 such commodities before the alteration of the tariff, hut now there were 100. Tf other countries built up tariff walls against New Zealand, it was too much to expect that this country should permit the goods of such countries to be dumped into New Zealand ports free of any duty whatever. Speiiking from what ha. hn<l seen in Parliament and out of it, he did not think there was any intention to allow that. He could not remember a tariff

in regard to which so little dissatisfaction had been expressed and so much satisfaction given. He agreed that there wa s need for true patriotism in regard to industrial and commercial matters ns well as in regard to defence matters. All should therefore do what the v could to increase the prosperity >f their country and the .Empire. New Zealand was continually sending away very large quantities of raw material and getting back pail- in manufactured goods. AVkiit he would like to see would be that more wool should he used for local manufacturing purposes and the same with hemp and tallow and a number of other things exported. He held that the Government Depaitinents had done the right thing in importing the plant and material they inquired from the Old Country. Ho felt proud that the Government had In,■on able to place its order for rails, rolling stock electric equipment etc., in the Old Country. He could not recoiled a single department going outside t’y Empire to purchase any of these things While New Zealand was handicapped to a eel (ain extent by high transport chui.gi x. she had now the advantage of sending her pi inlin eto .Manchester. Bristol. Hull and other ports, and these markets .should be looked after lest

(ompelitors in Patagonia, Uruguay an,! Brazil, as well as Argentina, stepped in and beat New Zealand. I’Htagoni', for stance could compete, with New Zealand even in lamb and light million. He did not think that on an average New Zealand goods weie making as much on the British markets now as before the war," but I’rcig.it rates bad increased Jsl per cent on mutton, 1.1-1 per cent on wool, lid per cent on pelts and 20!I per cent on t dh. w. Ti e Abal ( ::t:. I Bi.aid was doing its level best to get Heights down and l.e laid not the slightest doubt they would find their proper level in time. Tie predicted that when New Zealand went to the Guidon market for nn ney again.

she would got it at a cheaper inte than five per icnt. A satisfactory point wn s the Lift that our expoi ts exceeded imports. Now Zealand had jusf had another very good season and it seemed lil-.elv exports this year would be just as gnod, perhaps, even hettev than last year’s. Things looked voiy much better than at this time last year. Business men knew that the outlook was very much better. The only complaint he had to make was that tile benefit haj not leached the Treasury. Economy and retrenchment, therefore continued to 1),. necessary and would be for the next six months at least if the country was to have a satisfactory biikiiice at the end of the present financial year. He hoped that members of Parliament and the public generally would be reasonable in their demands. Nothing was more certain than that prosperity was coming back to New Zeala.nd. It would cunm he thought, b.v the end of the year.