POLITICAL CHANGES

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1932, Page 3

POLITICAL CHANGES

AUSTRALIA REACTS QUICKLY BRIGHTER OUTLOOK. WELLINGTON, September 26. “After spending over two months in Australia, ‘'travelling tiirouhgout New tsouWi 'WaLsj and Victoria particularly-, I am glad to* say that there is a very defined turn for the better in matters commercial,” said Mr. William Craven, of Toronto, who represents the Harold F. Ritchie

selling organisation. * M . Tiiery is a. more optimistic tone noticeable throughout the States I visited, as well as an expressed determination to co-operate, which was inducing a feeling of mutual confidence. This .previously had been almost entirely yacking. It is this return of confidence which is loosening people’s pursestrings a little. On top of that, or perhaps as a reason for it, the increase in the price of merino wool lias been generally welcomed in some circles as the turn of the tide. I see ibis is being maintained so it is all to the good. “Of course it must not be forgotten ,hat the change of the political outlook in New South Wales has had a remarkable effect on that State,” smd Mr Craven. “I do not pretend to any great knowledge of local politics in Australia but it seems to me that New South Wales had not been very well served by the Labour Go\eminent under Mr Lang, and the change has ad magical ( results i». many ways. The whole ,of the people seem to be orig liter and have a feeling of safety and security in the future under the lew regime. It comes at the' right ame, too, to give the proper consideration and Vfleet to the decisions of the Ottawa Conference, the success of .vhiich depends to a great extent upon he, full-hearted i o-op r ra J ion of the different Governments, oK the Dominions , o f. the Empire.

SPIRIT OF OTTAWA . “In that regard,” said Mr Craven, ‘I would like to s-e a move maUe m -uhis part of the world toward greater co-operation between Australia and New Zealand:' I am sure that Australia has goods that would be serviceable. .to New Zealand under more n.vourable tariff considerations, and am equally sure that New ;Zealand could find a ready market over there for some of her excellent products. For instance, Australia is without ouot one of the greatest wheat-grow-ing countries in the world, and yet I earn that the New Zealand Govern•iieivtj has to tax its people to subsidise wheat growers. That to .me seems .ather' unwise, and I should say does ;ot accord with the spirit of Ottawa, which! above and before all, calls •;pori ' reasonable trade ’ arfangenients' between countries within' the Empire, especially ■ when those . countries aro mly three days away from, one another. There may be aspects to this Wheat question on which I have no information, but the price of wheat, und the manner in which it is fixed, Joes not argue that the best is being lone for the peoples of the countries on either side of the Tasman.

“Ottawa! depends for its ultimate access on the clearing away of trade mqmalies between countries within •he Empire. If they are not going to >e moved, then Ottawa will have fail* d,” said Mr Craven. “It is yet to arly to say whether it has been a success. All that one can say is.that the decisions of the Ottawa Conference have given the Empire a lead in the right direction, and it is up to each individual country to do its best to grasp the spirit of Ottawa. If it .is lakadaisicaT and indifferent, then no great benefit will 'acrue, but if

•aeh country determines through its Parliament and people to make a sue* •ess, 'then it will be a success.”

AMERICAN ORANGES. ! “It is a little disturbing when you' .isk for an orange at an hotel to be andefcl onu with a known American jrand, when Australia, only a few Jays away, is producing very fine nav•l oranges, probably purchaseable t half the cost of ' the Californian iriicle,” said Mr Craven. “That .is ;';e. sort of thing Ottawa intended, should bo corrected. Australia, too, s producing wonderfully, good canned fruits and canned vegetables. “1 wab in Australia five years .ago,”, .concluded Mrprgven, ,“bu,t I was PJd' e i ';han ever impressed with itst future 1 possibilities this time. With good government a nd reasonable luck with , the • seasons, it must in time become a grept country. I am inclined to be-; lieve'i’t will be, one of the first coun- • tie's in the world to emerge from the depression, and I would like to .M able to jsay the same of New Zealand, but I do not know-the conditions here yet, having only landed a few. days Vgo.” -