OTTAWA REVIEW

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1932, Page 2

OTTAWA REVIEW

ADDRESS BY MR COATES ADVANTAGES TO THE DOMINION. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) WELLINGTON, September 20. Advantages gamed by the Dominion as a result of the arrangements made 9t the Ottawa Conference we*‘e comprehensively’ reviewed by Mr Coates at. a civic reception in his honour this evening. M%Co.at€s said he regretted he was unable:, to indicate the .exact details of the concession,s that had beep agreed to by New Zealand .in..jetum for preference.,s in the British market. These would later be placed before Parliament.

The Mayor, Mr Hislop, welcomed Mr Coates. Mrs Coates and the other official members of the delegation, on behalf of the city. Mr Forbes reca’led the changing, opinion in Britain regarding tariff-:. •T believe,” said the Prime Minister, "the time is not far distant when we will be able .to translate into definite terms tlie dream that Joseph Chamber’ll Ja had in years gone by.” The Prime Minister spoke of the New Zealand delegation to the Conference, and of great work they had done. The New Zealand" “team” had, been ’ the smallest that 'attended, he said, which had meant that every man had to do his full share, but he was sure that the results the delegates bad achieved, no matter how hua'd they had. worked, would enable them to look back on their endeavours with the satisfaction of knowing, that something had been done, and something really accomplished. i •

Loud applause greeted Mr Coates. After thanking a,U those peop’e whose good wishes were with the delegates, 'he recalled •circumstances which bad made the conference a distinctive one among the imperial conference?. The Ottawa Conference, he added, met during the depth of a world-wide depression. H e said: “The further you travel, the more you hear reporta of conditions in other countries, the mow you are impressed by the range-and the severity of this depression.”

Mr Coates then went on to review j the proceedings and .results of the conference. Referring to meat, he said they had agreed on a policy which was to have for its two-fold objective a raising of the price leve.l to a figuie that would b'e remunerative to producers, and a progressive increasing of the share of th® Dominions n the 'United Kingdom market. The full nature of the arrangements in regard j to meat would, in all probability, be | released between October 13th and October 18th. Much as he would like to satisfy their curiosity at present, he was unable to do ,so. .Mr Coates he regretted that ho could not disclose the nature oi the concessions to be granted by New Zealand in return for preferences in the British market, Revised tariff rates, he said, had been agreed to'on a number of articles imported into New Zealand from the United Kingdom. That list and th© new rates, of course, could not be made .public yet, but they would be laid before Parliament itn the next schedule, which was also confidential for the time being. They had agreed, he said, to gome revised tariff rates on the articles imported from the Crown colonies. “The advantages to New Zealand from the Ottawa agreement,” said Mr Coates, “cannot be measured simply by setting out gains and concessions i:n tariff duties. The whole effect ,of arrangements; successfully concluded, 1 which are designed to stimulate Empire trade on a reciprocal bus's, to raise price levels, and restore confidence, will benefit New Zealand in common with' other countries.” He said the ’ reductions that New Zealand may make in her tariffs on United Kingdom goods, in removing surtax or in reducing duties on specified imports, could be looked upon as concessions to the United Kingdom alone. Mr Coates said: They will cut the costs of production to our producers. They will reduce the cost of living- V. ourselves as consumers.” There were only a few tariff items in which New Zealand was to lower her tariff rates. He said nonq of the rates agreed updn would expose our local industries to unreasonable competition. All were keen to build up industries in New Zealand, but, he said, “there must he some basis competition, as we can’t hav© it both ways.” Brief reference was made by Mr Coates to impressions he gained during his short j visit to the, United States of America on his <7av home. From his short contact with American people he could see Jthat opinion i.u the; States was undergoing a profound change. ’ It was recognised more and more "'that they could not prosper in isolation. “It would appear there is confidence growing / 5n our Empire,” said Mr Coates. "There is a confidence there to-day that wa< not there inline little “nit, agf. Prices are rising, butter has moved up ; wool has moved up a little: there 's hope. We can look forward, wo cun encourage our fanners to go ahead, and it means a tremendous lot to this country, and although prices have a long way to go, the Conference and its achievements show that imperial sentiment can bo brought down lo detailed business amvngomeuts to the mutual advantage of our countries. It can assist and 'enrich there arrangements. It will do po, and’ wo shall survive.” i’lir Contes resumed his seat amid applause, and the proceedings closed with tlie singing of the National Anthem.