THE DOMINION'S PROGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 293, 11 December 1925, Page 11

THE DOMINION'S PROGRESS.

RAPID ADVANCE OF THE NORTH.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

DUNEDIN, this day.

Mr. Gilbert Thompson, formerly 'reporter on the "Evening Star," wlo left Dunedin 17 years ago for Sydney, where he now holds an important position in the advertising department of the "Bulletin," is at present on a visit to the Dominion. Asked which city lie considered had made the most progTess, lie answered "Auckland." The North Island generally he found had advanced wonderfully*. Considering the population and other circumstances, the progress made must compare favourably -with anycountry in the world. As to the South Island, here, too, was progress, but on slower and more conservative lines. The slogan of those dignified old settlers "safety first" had been ad-opted by their descendants. That there was something in tills attitude was plain when one looked at Dunedin to-day and compared it with the Dunedin of twenty years ago. Advancement there was, and all that had been done had been well done. "Look at the Exhibition," said Mr. Thompson, He had been able to visit the big show but three times, and would not presume to say more than that it struck him as being wonderful, surpassing all his expectations.

Politically, remarked Mr. Thompson, there need be no fears for Australia. The Labour party must naturally always have a big say, because it controls or should control two out of every three votes in the Commonwealth. The setback which it had deservedly experienced came about for a similar reason as that -which had caused reversals of the same party in the recent New Zealand elections, the people had become tired of the antics of the extremists. Of every three Australian votes, explained Mr. Thompson, one was clearly anti-Labour, one -was sane Labour, and the third was clear Bolshevist. It was the sane, sensible Labour vote then that swung the issue and the leaders of the Labour party were beginning to realise this, and to endeavour to shake free of the extremists. It was a good thing for Australia and New Zealand that a settled feeling had been brought about.