A LENGTHY VISIT.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20272, 14 August 1937, Page 6

A LENGTHY VISIT.

The Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, will return to the Dominion to-day after an absence of about ten months. That must constitute the longest visit ever made by a member of the New Zealand Ministry, and looking back it must be admitted that the people have heard surprisingly little of Mr Nash’s activities or the progress of the important negotiations he went Home to conduct. Several times during the past six or eight months the Government has been urged to arrange for official progress reports, because Mr Savage had said that the completion of a trade agreement with the British Government was an integral part of the party’s policy, and the Minister of Finance had also stressed its vital importance in the development of his plans. These statements had the effect of stimulating public interest, and if Mr Nash, on his return, should find widespread uncertainty of what work occupied his time, and of what he attempted to do, he must place the responsibility on those who should have made arrangements for the provision of reports. It may be that, at the reception to be tendered to both the Prime Minister and Mr Nash in Auckland this evening, something will be disclosed of the results achieved. The statement made by the Minister of Finance prior to leaving London created the impression that as yet nothing definite has been reached, but during the week a colleague, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, referred to the arrangements made overseas, and to the desire of Mr Savage to supplement them by developing local industries. This changed the outlook very quickly, and led to the expectation of a definite statement by the responsible Minister on his return. It seems improbable that, after such a long period in London, discussing matters with the British Ministers and Mr Nash would return and say that nothing beyond a minor adjustment of meat export limits bad been secured. Obviously nothing has been completed as far as a trade agreement with Canada and the United States is concerned for during the week the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, when interviewed in New York, said that he would continue the conversations begun by his colleague. The only other country where, judging by the very inadequate reports received, Mr Nash discussed matters of trade was Germany, and nothing with regard to any arrangements has been disclosed.

The lack of official information has, of course, added to the interest with which any statement by the Minister of Finance is being awaited, and owing to tho circumstances that obtain a preliminary review would be of value. The Minister will find his hands more than full for the next few weeks. The question of guaranteed prices has been deferred until his return, and as producers dislike working without knowing what the return will be that matter cannot be delayed. Then the Financial Statement for the current year must be dealt with, and Mr Savage hopes to have it presented early in the session. That will add substantially to the tasks which Mr Nash must discharge. Nothing can take precedence, in importance, to these matters, so that it is to be hoped that Mr Nash will take the first opportunity to outline tho arrangements he has made, leaving the details until a later stage, possibly until the agreements come before Parliament. _