HIS TOUR REVIEWED

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1933, Page 5

HIS TOUR REVIEWED

MB FORBES’ RETURN OPINION OF U.S. RECOVERY PLAN (Per Press Association — Copyright.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. The New Zealand delegation to the World Conference arrived at Wellington by the Makura late this afternoon. the vessel which was slightly •..elayed by rough weather, anchored in Hie stream about 5 pun., and the Government steamer, Janie Seddon, conveyed members of the Cabinet and relatives and friends of the delegation party to, the Makura’s side. Captain Twcedie represented the Governor-

t 'tenoral. Colleagues and friends boarded tile vessel and extended a warm welcome home to the delegation party, which consisted of Mr Forbes, Mr Masters, Mrs Forbes, Mrs Masters Professor Tockcr, Doctor Campbell, Mr C. A. Jeffery (private secretary -? 0 the Prime Minister), and Airs Jeffery. On passing down the gangway, Mr Forbes was given a friendly deception from a crowd of several hundred gath ©red on the wharf. This was. renewed when he left by motor ear for his home.

Mr Masters said lie had no state* went prepared, but he hoped next day to have something to say concerning education and a revival of trade in I Britain. The other members of the I delegation did not give interviews. I “I am very glad to lie home again,” said the Premier. “It is no new discovery for me to find that our little Dominion compares more than favourably with other and older countries of the world., We had a very interesting journey through the United States of America on our way homewards. and had an opportunity of seeing something of the conditions in , that country, and also of the operat- ’ ions in the early stage of the National Industrial Deco very Act. “There is no doubt,” stated Mr Forbes, “that President Roosevelt is endeavouring to carry out a colossal plan, devised to effect a return to a more normal state of prosperity in industry and in the country generally. ■lt is a little too soon to judge whether the measures which are being nbopted will have the desired results, but . there is no gainsaying the fact Uiat a good deal of support for the j scheme is being accorded by the public 'generally in the hope of success at- ( tending the efforts of the President | and his Administrators. If, is a little difficult, too, to.gunge how far the improvement in price levels, which has taken place during recent months, is due to the operations of the legislation. It will he recalled that, about the time that the Act was passed by Congress, there was definite evidence that price levels ; ewer commencing tp rise, owing to the .influences of a wide variety of factors; and it must he assumed that these factors have con—tuned to have their effect. “in addition to the general rise in world prices, American prices particularly of the agricultural commod" ities, were gven a, special upward thrust by the . heavy depresson- 01 the dollar exchange, which had occurred since the gold standard was suspended last March. It must be-• remembered, too. that, before the Roosevelt programme of recovery was begun. the United States were very near to flu uncial collapse. The situation was indeed so desperate that.' the country was ready, and willing, to accept desperate remedies which would never have been considered in normal times. Some of the higher authorities in Washington informed me candidly that much of their legislation was experimental, and that, they did not know whether it would succeed or fail.

“At. Washington we wore the guests of the President and Mrs- Boosevelt at .luncheon, and enjoyed a very interesting talk with cur host. 1 was greatly ! impressed with the President’s earn- [ estness and sincerity in the great task !,l’.e had undertaken, and with his 1 friendliness towards New Zealand. “W-e had an opportunity of looking into the Woollen industry n Boston which is the centre of this trade in the United States. Those associated with the industry facilitated our mis/sion in every possible way, and as a jtes-nlt, much useful information was grained.

“I. con not speak too highly of the very (cordial reception which’ we- relieved in -every city visited in outtravels through tlie United States. •Mayors and responsible people in each centre and State officials showed us -every kindness, and we were made to I feel welcome vhprever we went, j “We also took advantage of flic nearness to Canada to make a brief visit to Ottawa for the purpose of (discussing with Canadian -Ministers matters in connection with the trade agreement between Canada and New Zealand. We had had previously a preliminary talk on the subject in New Work with the Canadian. Minister of ’Trade and Commerce, the Hon. Mr -Stevens, who had came down to meet nc; there. Very useful discussions took place ami proposals were put forward by both sides which will receive the consideration of the respective Governments.”