THE NATIVE BORN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 98, 27 April 1937, Page 6

THE NATIVE BORN.

The Hon. Adam Hamilton. Leader of the National party, during his recent campaigning tour, said '"it was time that Xew Zealand should be ruled by Xew Zealanders.*' Xow Mr. Hargest. a member of the same party, says "It is time Xew Zealand was. represented at ceremonies abroad by Xew Zealand born." and goes on to point out that Messrs. Savage, Nash and Jordan, now abroad, are not such. Then we read of the Young Xew Ze~landers' Association, and the report goes on to read thus: ". . . . The association will hi entirely independent of all political parties, but will encourage its members as individuals to aesist the Xational party. . . ." Well, it doesn't require much intelligence to see the significance of so contradictory a statement. So, summing it all up, it is going to <be a poor lookout in the Xational party for anyone not actually Xew Zealand born~ and despite the fact that these people—our forbears and country-builders—have given Xew Zealand the best years of their lives, or that their real interests are wrapped up in the Dominion'* welfare. To carry such parochialism to its logical conclusion, we may "expect the expulsion of all not actually Xew Zealand her*. from Xational party organisations. Surety here is class distinction unadulterated? Apparently it suits just now to forget that the late Hon. W. F. Massey, one of the most dominant leaders we have had. was not Xew Zealand born, and represented Xew Zealand abroad. So. too, were many of our past successful Cabinet Ministers from overseas. Shouldn't we have more tolerance and greater intelligence? What does it matter whether they come from England. Ireland, Scotland, \\ ales. Canada or even Australia, so long as they are able and honest, are true to the country of their adoption, and are of British stock? How many generations are any of lie from being Xew Zealand born ? Xow is a time when all should endeavour to strengthen the bonds of Empire, when we should encourage good Britisher* to come and take a part in building our Dominion and Empire. Where is the sincerity of the Xational party's claim to British justice and equality? Mr. Hamilton also referred to the minority members of the Labour party. Mr. Hargest has refrained from this. Is it bei-a;i~e lie is a minority member? XEW ZEALAXDER. '