HOPE FOR OTTAWA

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1932, Page 5

HOPE FOR OTTAWA

RESULTANT GOOD EXPRESSION BY MR COATES. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) WELLINGTON, June 25. “1 have in tile g-od mat ca». eiit Oi lue ottav.u, Loiifeij Xji'u v'K.eu mat eUi.ll U.. 1. OX tile iT-nii<iie i-» i.r-'p.i.ta lu co-operate u 1 Jbo..iiig uie vital eeo-omie piooiUiaa | tiiat i.re iavi.ig uie iint-sli t-ouiiiiou- , HfcUitu," »ai« Air (Jo.aes 111 a state- | lumc to ‘‘iiio .0,0111111.011," before leav--1 i*,g uei.ingLon'tor Auck.and tins eveulag til route lor t-lio Ottawa Luuler- ; once, “’llifie u ample evidence to ! show that a real desire ex us tv to make too Lomeruioe a turning point in iu-Uci'-Empire trade and xmaneial relations and t.as must Le a source of real encouragement to the ae.egates who are assembling Loin a-1 parts of tlie Emigre, and wno w.li seek to give a lead in tuiuing a way out of the prujent difficulties.” I “Wu are sti-1 four weeks away from ! the opening of the Conference, and, even after the discussions begin, we must not expect the working of economic wonders within ft short period. The scope of the agenda paper uhould show that it is only by strengthening the whole foundation of Empre commerce that we can hope for an economic recovery. No one part of the Empire can expect to benefit at the expense of others, nor can one Dominion find a. way out without co-operation of the other units of the British Commonwealth. New Zealand will strive for mutual advantages, for her future depends on the prosperity of Great Britain, and of the sister Dominions. The wholesale price level of our export commodities js a vital factor, and if this problem can he tackled with any degree of success, the Conference will be justified on that ground alone. “Although it is a most complex question, we hope that the monetary problem and the issues connected with it, and their relation to the price level will be discussed, at least to a point where a general plan for the whole Empire can be seriously considered. “After the Ottawa Conference, we cannot overlook the economic problems of other countries, and if the Empire can show the world that it has set itself seriously to the task of righting its own difficulties, we may reasonably hope for the growth of a new outlook toward overcoming the post- | war depression.”

LABOUR CONDEMNS CONFERENCE. OPTIMISTS’ “FOOL’S PARADISE.” CHRISTCHURCH, June 25. “In my opinion those who expect results from the Ottawa Conference are living in a fool’s paradise,” dee'ared Mr R. Semple, Labour M.P. for Wellington East, in an interview in Christchurch to-dav. He said, however, that he was no prophet, and that time along would tell. Mr Semple said that he had no confidence' in the two Government representatives to the Ottawa Conference, and in any case lie land no*confidence in the result of that Conference, which he believed would be nothing more or less than a scramble for concessions, with one country working against the other. In other words, it would be a hunt for markets.

Ever ■ country in the world had r.ached a stage where they had some surplus of goods to dispose of, in spite of the fact that people were /starving. Those countries were looking for markets in other countries, and alf were sellers, with few buyers. “1 am firmly convinced that the Ottawa Conference will be one of the greatest scrambles that has ever taken place,” continued Mr Sample. “This ■will be due, of course, to the fierce commodity war that is waging in the world to-day. Any reform that may be beneficial to the world’s people will take second place or be lost sight of altogether in this scramble. “As to the personnel of the Government delegation, I can say without any party feeling that I am satisfied that this country could not have sent two men less suitable. Mr Coates cannot claim truly to represent New Zealand. He was discredited in 1928 after having a wonderful opportunity with a powerful majority, and he failed nr sera hlv. In my opinion he would never have, .seen power again if it had not been for the Coalition Government. ’ “In common with other Members of Parliament, I have received an open letter from a group of individuals which professes to represent the fanners, and that letter states definitely what Mr Contes stands for, namely, a free port, which would mean the elosI irirr down of our existing secondary , industries and making it impossible to create new ones. This group of individuals is concerned -about selling >" the dearest market and buying in the cheapest, irrespective of what the results may he to the people in general.” I Mr Semple said that "’hen there was a glut of goods to he disposed of 'at “any old preo,” such a policy i would he f'lnl to the country. New i Zealand had to develop to something ' mf ,re than a cowyard or a sheep farm. ,We had tr develop our own natural | wealth and utilise it for the benefit tif our own people. We had to he in n position to clothe, house and feed tlm peonle, irrespective of what the | rest of the world might do. The po-

licy of Mr Contes would not allow that to bo done.

“Mr Downie Stewart is one of the most hard-baked Tories in the House, and an over-rated pol.tican,” declared Mr Semple. The speaker believed that the second big question to he discussed at the Conference was the monetary one. The greatest thinkers in the world were agreed that tlm present monetary system had failed, and that revolutionary changes wore necessary if humanity were to survive this terrible /struggle. Mr Stewart stood for the worn-out monetary system which had crashed the world. He was a representative more of the in-ti-rests of the hanks and the big insurance firms, than of the people. The rest of the delegation was going to Ottawa with divided opinions on the questions of the day, without any concentrated thoughts or programme for New Zealand as a whole,