BUSY MINISTER

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20273, 16 August 1937, Page 9

BUSY MINISTER

MANY INVESTIGATIONS.

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. MUCH DATA COLLECTED. In an interview on his arrival from England the first thing mentioned by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, was the extraordinary extent of the goodwill shown in every part of the world to himself and the members of his staff In the United Kingdom, in Germany, in the U.S.S.R., in Denmark, in the Netherlands, in France, in Canada, the United States and Panama. The fact that the delegation came from New Zealand seemed to open up the avenues of Information and goodwill. That seemed quite extraordinary. The Minister said he felt that In the United ‘Kingdom this was to a certain extent due to the sportsmanship of the New Zealand cricket and football teams and also largely to the high reputation of the New Zealand soldiers in the United Kingdom and in other countries during the war period. The Minister, emphasising this goodwill, pointed out that It was partly due to tho fact that whenever New Zealand’s name was behind a product that product had been good. It was unquestionable that the best lamb Imported Into the United Kingdom was from New Zealand and that our butter Is recognised as of the highest quality except by those who have been used to Danish butter. 'On Innumerable occasions traders had mentioned that thero was no need In the main to specify any particular type in that the grading procedure followed In New Zealand and the careful guards that were maintained to ensure first-class quality enabled them to be certain that If the butter, cheese or lamb was from New Zealand then It would be of the quality desired. Inquiry Into Marketing. During his period overseas, added Mr Nash, he investigated the marketing procedure in connection with our beef, mutton, lamb, pig products, butter, cheese fruit, honey and wool, hides and skins. Visits were paid to the Smlthfleld Meat market, to Covent Garden, and to the Spitalflelds fruit market and several days were spent by the Minister in Tooley Street investigating the procedure followed In the marketing of dairy produce. Separate reports on these subjects will bo submitted to Cabinet.

Negotiations in connection with trade agreements were conducted with the governments of the United Kingdom. Germany, The Netherlands, Canada, the United States, Panama, France and Brazil and discussions were also carried on with the U.S.S.R., Southern Rhodesia, Palestine, Denmark, the Irish Free State and Yugoslavia Governments. During the Imperial Conference In

company with the Prime Minister the questions of defence, foreign affairs, shipping in general, Pacific shipping, Tasman shipping, air communications in general, and particularly in tho Pacific and the Tasman, were all thoroughly discussed. The Minister mentioned that the load on the New Zealand delegation was particularly heavy in that they had a smaller number of Ministers in London than had any other country which meant that he personally had to be a member of many committees. Conference Work. “As chairman of the general shipping committee and of the special committee dealing with Pacific shipping and as a member of Hie committee considering civil air communications and trans-Tasman Airways and in addition as New Zealand representative on the special meetings on defence I naturally was occupied every minute of my time from the opening day of the conference to the departure of the Prime Minister for New Zealand,” the Minister stated. lie considered New Zealand really required more Ministers in London on occasions such us the Imperial Conference. investigations made into the marketing of dairy produce, meat, fruit, honey and wool were very full. One member of the staff spent in all two 'or three f weeks in following the butter and cheese from the arrival of the produce till it reached the actual consumerThese investigations were made at Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow and Tooley Street, London. Separate reports are being prepared on each procedure. The Minister said that he felt that these reports and the time given to the Investigations had built up data In excess of anything known before that would be Invaluable In enabling tho Government to determine Its policy In connection with marketing In general. Tribute to Staff. In addition to over 100 meetings In connection with the Imperial Conference and the trade negotiations the Minister said be had delivered addresses on the Government and its policy in the major towns of the United Kingdom. He had met the respective ministers of finance in the United 'Kingdom, the United Stales, Canada. Australia, South . Africa, 1.5.5.8.. Germany, Denmark. Ilm Netherlands and also M. Blum, of France, the Prime Ministers of Denmark and Holland and of the nations of the British Commonwealth, the president of tlie United States and the president of Panama. In conclusion, the Minister paid a tribute to the work carried out by the members of his staff. The load had been particularly heavy and it was doubtful whether lie could h ave found a better personnel who would ha\e worked willingly under such exceptional rjtvumslam-os. Ilis staff had the Government to be fully underM j fftsired. High Mr \Y. .1. Jordan. to the iii.uii i ;..ioiuissioiier, Mr <;. W. cimk .d. New '• i oid Trade Commissioner a Luiv-pe. and members of the High *.oiiiini:i 1 ne]■'> staff. In addition. valuable a>si>:..nee whenever reQUlrt d was rendi re Iby Mr it. s. For - svth. London manager of the New Zealand Meat Producer’s Board. Mr 11. L. Davis, manager of the dairy sales (Continued m next column.)

division of the Marketing Department, and Mr 11. Turner, London manager of the New Zealand Fruit Board. In addition to the investigations referred to the Minister said lie had conferences with the Bank of England, the bankers engaged in New Zealand business, the national health insurance officials, Sir John Orr, with regard to nutrition and also had some discussions with Dr. Gunson, who was visiting England at the same time as the Minister. Overseas Publicity. A full investigation lias also been made Into Hie publicity procedure associated with the Dominion with its tourist attractions and marketing visits to the IndustrTal establishment associated with lho making of British cars coincided wilh lengths discussions wilh representatives of Ihe motor trade as lo the future policy of the Government in connection with Ihe importation of molor-rars. Reports are being prepared on Ihe film industry and on Ihe investigations into housing in Liverpool. .Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and London. j In addition to attending tlie GoronI alion ceremonies, Ihe Imperial ConfcrI once and conducting Iradc negotiations, Ihe .Minister fully investigated | Ihe eircumslauees in the. I'niled King--1 dnni wilh regard lo prevention of | t ' unl ;lll «i month disease and Ihe quarj Britain. 1!• • interviewed a iiumher ol I ' l; “ MmJ. ! l.'.'.Mn bis hr,ml a f.„-;-’d U- 1 " of Ihe sllbirc!* !h.d had j N>w /.-aland t ad.- ..lid n/.-re'e d'u ' ' ' "““''o' of Hi.- League of .Nations 111 '' 1 n 11,1 1 > Mi.; on ever.' occasion where an opportunity had occurred he had by invitation addressed meetings on Hie i policy of flic Government, Hie attracI lions Of New Zealand and the determinalioii of Iho Government to make its products as I as those marketed