N.Z. DELEGATION

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1932, Page 5

N.Z. DELEGATION

TO ATTEND OTTAWA

MR COATES IS INCLUDED

(By Teleyruph—Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 21

At the close of a Cabinet meeting, at 11.39 o’clock to-nigiit, Mr Forbes announced that a final decision hid been reached in regard to New Zealand’s representation at the Ottawa Conference, and that the delegation would consist of Mr Coates and Mr Down-io Stewart.

“As stated in my announcement of the- 7th June;” said Mr Forbes, “I have always stressed the extreme 'importance of the Ottawa Conference', both to the Empire as a whole, and to this Dominion individually. It is for this reason that, in my opinion, New Zealand should be represented by the strongest delegation that it if possible to send, and that both of the Leaders of th e Government should attend, if at all possible. “It was felt by .all of the Members of the Cabinet that the Minister of ■Employment should be free to withdraw, if he found, as the dat e of departure approached, that his presence here wad more, necessary than at Ottawa,

“Mr Coates is entitled to make it clear that he had not only indicated to Cabinet that this was ihis attitude, but that he had also, in' bis reply to ,a pressing request of primary producers, made it equally clear that • lie would not ileave New Zealand unless he felt—and unless Cabinet agreed—that the circumstances permitted. “The problems of the country are admittedly pressing,’’ continued Mr Forbes, “and it was agreed by Cabinet that, notwithstanding the importance of the Ottawa deliberations, it was desirable that one of the leaders should remain in New Zealand. It would appear this is not, necessarily, a. Prime Ministers’ conference, and as, in my opinion, my duty primarily lies in New Zealand, it has become more necessary that Mr Coates should, in company with the Minister of Finance and Customs, represent New Zealand at Ottawa. Mr Coateis has accordingly, at to-night’s mee-ting, met the expressed vi h of till the other members of the Cabinet, and has finally' consented to head th e delegation.” “Cabinet has decided upon genera) lines of policy for Ottawa, and is in complete agreement upon the representations to be made on behalf of the Government.” AIMS OF THE DELEGATION.

STATEMENT BY MR COATES

WELLINGTON, June 21

Subsequent to the Prime Master's announcement of tlhe. personnel of - the Ottawa delegation, Mr Coates, when interviewed at midnight, stated that during the last few clays the Cabinet had devoted a good deal of time to the final:> ation of matters in readiness for th e Conference, and that there was not very much that he need add •to what had been said by the Prime Minister.

“I think it is fairly generally known,” said Mr Coates, ":hat I have been giving very careful thought to th e question of my being away from the country even for the period of ten weeks- Equally with the Prime Minister, I have all along felt that at ihe Ottawa Conference, .New Zealand should be adequately represented, and that the unique opportunity afforded by such a Conference must be ■seized. The Government, at one stage, deemed it necessary that three Ministers should be present, if eVcum- ; stances permitted. In my own case, there/ was a reservation that, on account of Hue importance of departments in my charge, .particularly unemployment, I should be free to withdraw. ”

“I feel that my position, before now, might wed have been made more clear,” said Mr Coatee, "but I did not consider it incumbent upon myself to discuss publicly a matter which concerned the Prime (Minister and Cabinet, and which had yet to be finally determined, not by myself, but by Cabiue:. Even now, I do not propose to discuss the matter, that is to say, in .a general way; but it has become evident that our efforts in dealing with th e depression in New Zealand must, if they are to be at all effective, be supplemented by measures that can bo brought about in consultation and co-operation with Great Britain, and tine other Dominions. Markets «r 6 a problem I realise. •

every member of the Cabinet realises the acuteness of the unemployment situation, and tli:j_ serious condition oi our essentia) primary industries. The Government has used 1 idlest appreciation of the fact that the incidence of unemployment is directly related to the condition of the primary industries and that the secondary industries depend lor their vit.lity upon the state of the primary industries. If ithe.n, thene is something that may be achieved at (*:flawu, which will

:■ - *s J in n r-habilitation of our industries, particularly the export industries, then it can justly be claimed that our efforts at Ottawa are directed at'the vary heart of tile problem of miemp’oynipnt.

Questioned as to the temporary administration of the portfolio of Employment, Mr Coates said that he could assure all concerned that the portfolio was being left in sympathetic .and competent hands. Th a Minister