THE PREMIER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 111, 20 February 1937, Page 3

THE PREMIER

VISIT TO GENEVA PLANNED. LABOUR CONFERENCE ADDRESS. (Per Frcss Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 19. After acknowledging the welcome tended him at the civic reception, today, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage.) referred to his visit to Britain. “The voice, of New Zealand, if it is heard at all, must be heard in the direction of trying to put the world of to-day and of the future on a peace basis. However, we must make the foundations safe before the superstructure is worth much, and for that reason is will be necessary first to settle the economic problems which at present confront .nations. I will soon be taking part in an Imperial Conference which will probably be the most important ever to have been held. I am optimistic enough to believe that these who assemble there will be able to rise high enough to devise suitable methods of utilising to the full the huge resources contained in the territories over which their flag flies.” The purpose of the Conference would be to develop trade as far as possible within the British Commonwealth of Nations. International trade was a secondary consideration, but it could be taken for granted that if all members of the British Commonwealth were prosperous, wealthy communities other nations of the world would be eager to trade with them. “There is ample room on the earth’s surface for tile whole of humanity,” Mr Savage continued. “No particular section lias any right to a monopoly. We, in New Zealand, have no. strong claim to the territory we hold unless we secure the population necessary to develop it to the fullest extent. That in itself would be our surest method of defence, fir it would no longer provide the same temptation to covetousness of other peoples. Our responsibility as the Government of this country will be to see that newcomers have a place to lay their heads and the right and opportunity to earn a living. The problem is one which affects other Dominions equally with ourselves, Imt I make bold to say that the Imperial Conference will face its responsibilities in this respect.” In addition to attending the Imperial Conference when he goes to England shortly, the Prime Minister will also have the unusual honour of addressing members of the International Labour Conference on tho legislation and policy of his Government.

In an interview to-day Mr Savage said the director of the International Labour Office had written to him mentioning that the legislation of the Government of Now Zealand had attracted the interest cf other countries, and suggesting that lie might like to address the conference in June. Mi' Savage said that lie had accepted the offer and would give the conference some idea of the legislation of the last session, proposed new measures, and a general outline of the policy of the Government. His visit to the conference would not clash in any way with that of the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, who wes being sent to Geneva by the Government as its official Ministerial delegate.