The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1932. THE BETTER TIMES.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1932. THE BETTER TIMES.

There is a new note in the air. There is a suggestion from different quartets that the bottom of the depression has been touched, and that matters are o*n. the improve. Produce prices are showing a tendency to rise—not in leaps and bounds— £ but a. gradual fractional rise. Our neighbour, Australia, appears to have set her political house in order, and there is hope of , the State’s pulling itogether under the revised Premier’s plan. The . leader of , the Federal Parliament at Ottawa .has proved an .outstanding, figure, and .the Australian case has been presented iu a manner which impressed all, and outdistanced the other Dominions. If Australia recovers quickly, the prosperity across the Tasman will he reflected here immediately. Australia hag had a suchecsion cf good seasons, and tlm surplus products has helped the country through the slump. With another good season nous and prices improving, the Commonwealth will profit •■greatly. That must be all for the good of New Zealand which must enjoy some of the reflected prosperity. This Dominion has the resources to meet the situation, 'Of.late it has been clear tine spirit of speculation lias teen restricted,, and money lias been deposited with the banks. With a ;trade movement, much of the store will be utilised in a practical .way and trade i 4 and, industry will, rjeceave the desired ’ fillip. New Zealand li'as steadily increased its production, 1 and an increasing price for eommoditie-i' will be all to the good; I’lie possibility of better 'times is not .tit alf remote. The rtol incentive to; bhtter times as improved trado anti iiitefpoureie. : There will be a hittevjuenfc offer Ottawa. It may be, reasonably expected that trade within the , Empire l will be more active. Tariff barriers now restricting trade will be lowered in most cases, and these must be received actively following that action. This Dominion 'should have a wider and steadier market, and the incneasied volume of trade will mean a return of better times. If the trade 'of the country can be reestablished on a J sound basis we will bear less of a stable currency. The trade will effect the stabilisation needed. Any action solely directed to manipulate the currency will be largely artificial in its effect. It is not going to increase trade along legitimate 'lines. That betterment can come most surely from sound trading, and that in its effect will regulate exchange and the basis of money valines. ’ Such-being the ease, the hope of a. trade revival following Ottawa’s deliberations is the best presneot of renewed industrial life within the Empire. The countries have-had their experience of lean and difficult times, and must be anxious to escape, them. All the delegates should he of one mind as to the need of the times and unity of action to achieve practical result?' is assured. It seems apparent that no amount of talk is going to mend matters; this is the time for action. In our own country even the shouting of the political Labour party hnis died down. Apparently the trife import of the occasion is realised at last in that quarter. The essential thing new is a trade revival, and that cannot come alone from within.. It needs an outward agency such as Ottawa presents, and let us hope 1 the leaven of goodwill within the Empire will work quickly and make the prospect cf better times a certainty