HON. G. FORBES

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1930, Page 5

HON. G. FORBES

AN INTERVIEW

[United Press Association.—By Electric

Telegraph.—Copyright.]

(Received this day at 11 a.m.) LONDON, December 4. Hon. Geo. Forbes has arrived in London from Ireland.

Interviewed regarding dairy interests suggestion of a moratorium, lie stated he recognised fully the serious position of dairy farmers, as well as wool growers. The low prices of their produces was, hound ito cause much hardship, hut he was confident that mortgagees and financial institutions would recognise it was in their own interests, as well as the country’s to help tlie producer to meet the posit on, with the result that no Government action would be necessary.

New Zealand was passing through a crisis which could only be overcome by financial institutions, farmers and the whole country working together. H' this were done, lie . was confident that New Zealand would weather the present difficult position. Commodity .prices were now at the lowest, and the next movement must be upward. Commenting on the Dairy Council s request for a new appeal to Britain to tax foreign food and give preferences in response to lower New Zealand customs duties he said lie had already fully presented the preference case at the Imperial Conference, and the Biitish Government had given a definite and final answer against the taxation of foreign food.

No good purpose would he served in an attempt to reopen the subject before the Conference at Ottawa.

Mr and Mrs Forbes, Sir T. and Lady Side'y, will join a party which is going to France on December 12th.