REPLY TO CRITICS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 219, 16 August 1937, Page 2

REPLY TO CRITICS.

BY RT. HON. M. J. SAVAGE. RISE IN EXPORT VALUES. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. Aug. 15. '“There is so much being said and written just now by tlie Government’s opponents about the disadvantages of better times that 1 think it is at least appropriate for me to say something concerning the advantages,” said the Prime Alinister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) in an interview to-day. “My first impression on my return from the United Kingdom v 7 as that things in New Zealand were rather good. Discussions with my colleagues and a studv of statistics more than confirmed my impression, and it has been deepened every day by definite evidence as to improved conditions. “I have also glanced through the speeches made by National Party speakers during mv absence, and l find them as pessimistic as they are bulky. Of course, Ido not imagine for a moment that everything cannot be improved, but it can he claimed that things are much better than the opponents of the Government would have the people believe, and incomparably better than even the best conditions were two years ago. “A parade of statistics is not necessary to prove the fact of widespread prosperity,” continued the Prime Minister, “but anyone who has taken the trouble to consult the returns about New Zealand conditions as affecting production, trade, and general business must have been impressed by the exceptionally good record. Our export season finished in June last with inose satisfactory results. Indeed, the value of exports for the first six months of this vear is 23 per cent, greater than it was for the corresponding period last year. That, surely, augurs well tor the present season’s prospects, and more particularly since the prices or our products on the overseas markets have continued to show a rising ten“lt is impossible not to believe as a result of my observations abroad that there is room for a genera l increase in consumption. Half the uorld. must be underfed. If only everyone could have their fill our farmers would not lack customers. “Do not overlook the fact that a great deal of the splendid result from our exports last season was due to tlie big rise in wool values,” Air Savage continued. “But nobody else would overlook the other fact that the exports of butter and cheese also showed increases compared with the previous year’s figures. The aggregate value of exnorted butter was up Lilly 11 per cent., while the value of cheese increased by a fraction over 17 per cent. “I might also mention that Neu Zealand was the chief supplier to Great Britain of butter, cheese and pork. A\e exported more butter to the United Kingdom than in any previous year, our gain being to some extent at tlie expense of Australia. It should also be pointed out that New Zealand butter this year has on one occasion commanded a premium over Danish—the first time since 1929. . . . “These results should be emphasised for the reason that they confute the astounding statement which I noticed was made by the Nationalist leader (Hon. Adam Hamilton), that the Labour Government s nolirv of guaranteed prices bad brought a loss of goodwill in the British market and among the farmers of the United Kingdom. In actual fact we have got considerably more for butter, cheese, frozen beef, | chilled beef, frozen lamb and greasy wool over the past 12 months. Hostile critics may say that the Government has had nothing whatever to do with the improved prices, hut they have been quick to blame the Government when prices have gone down. Such an ungenerous attitude condemns itself. “There is no doubt that the Government organisation for the marketing of our dairy produce in the British market has been largely responsible for the increased goodwill,” added Air Ravage. “Conditions within New Zealand also give much cause for satisfaction. Even allowing for the seasonal falling off, business for this time of the year is bettor in every respect. The increased purchasing power of the people has had a marked effect on the turnover, and representative shopkeepers have declared their satisfaction with the changed conditions, particularly in the matter of cash sales. There has not been the same outcry about bad debts. That, at any rat’e, has been the evidence 'prominently reported in the newspapers.”