N.Z. AND IRELAND

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 359, 21 October 1932, Page 4

N.Z. AND IRELAND

The new member for Inver- J cargill*, Mr. J. Hargest, althongh he has been only a short time in the House, has proved that he is an additi-on to its ranks and that he has a refreshing capacity for speaking out and saying what he means without beating about the bush. His views upon New Zealand's Ottawa agreement published yesterday present a new angle which is worthy of attention. Mr. Hargest pointed out the danger of the English market being flooded when the pent up dam of Irish produce bursts as assuredly it must. It is becoming increasingly obvious that economic necessity is forcing Mr. de Valera to the wall and it is now only a, matter of time before the people of the Free.State realise that they cannot subsist indefinitely upon republican sentiment and the entertaining pastime of baiting the British bull-dog. The danger which Mr. Hargest forsees is a real one, but it is difficult to perceive in what way j New Zealand can safeguard it- ! self against it. An agreement | between Great Britain and the I Irish Free State would necessarily entail re-admittance of Irish produce under normal tariffs or free of duty and a request from | this or any other Dominion to regulate the export would place it in a most invidious position. Unless Mr. de Valera has his way, the Free State will remain a unit of the Empire Commonwealth and entitled to equal rights an(? privileges with the '.Dominions. Irish farmers would ; naturally strongly resent any ! system of control which aimed i at protecting the Dominions at j their expense and it is extremely doubtful whether such control could equitably be imposed, There is, however, another aspect of the matter which Mr, Hargest overlooked. It has beer pointed out that the present British blockade of Irish produce has diverted the British trade into outside channels from whicl it will with diffieulty be dislodgj ed. At present the Continent appears to have reaped the majoi benefit from the position and th(

Irish farmers may find that even with the lifting of the embargo, it will be difficult to recapture their old markets. This, in the long run, will probably benefit the Dominions at the expense of the Free State but it will not prevent Irish produce flooding the English market when the embargo is first removed. That, however, will be a passing phase, and it is the everitual position, when stabilisation is effected, which is of importance. The flooding of the English market, although it may have a temporary effect upon primary produce prices, is not likely to have a permanent effect. It should also be remembered that a great proportion of the Irish export, eggs, butter, fresh meat, etc., cannot be hoarded and that there is not, therefore, the same volume of aecumulation as would be the case with manufactured products. The plight of the Irish farmers is the more serious from this fact; and it is to be hoped not only for their own sakes, but for that of Empire unity that they will be afforded some measure of relief. After all, New Zealand can afford to be a little generous in this matter. The people of the Free State are bound in bonds of kinship with very many of our own, and a policy which sought to exploit the present position of the Free State would not redound to our eredit either at home or abroad. It appears to us that the New Zealand Government would be best advised to allow matters to fake their course and meet Irish competition, when it revives, without any artifieial restrictions.