HIGH PRAISE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 20, 25 January 1939, Page 13

HIGH PRAISE.

LABOUR'S POLICY. NEED FOR EMPIRE UNITY. VISITORS ENTERTAINED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The value of mutual support within the British Commonwealth of Nations during the present unsettled state of the i world was stressed at a State luncheon held in Parliament Buildings in honour !of overseas politicians to-day. The guests, who were welcomed by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, were the Hon. E. Dwyer-Gray, deputy-Premier and Treasurer of Tasmania, the Hon. J. McDonald, of the Tasmanian Legislative Assembly, and Lord Strabolgi. Proposing the toast "Our Guests," Mr. Savage said members of the Empire had a common object in view. He had met men and women from various parts, but they were not close enough to realities. He had hoped they could get together and exchange opinions, and

fettle the affairs of the world by a rule of reason. There was no time for violence, and it was time somebody took a stand and got the nations to discuss the future. It should be possible, if they met around a table, to discuss the problems of the world and make the world immune from war. Mr. Savage concluded by asking Lord Strabolgi to assure the people of England that the loyalty which always characterised Xew' Zealand's relations with the Mother Country was to-day stronger than ever. Mr. Dwyer-Gray said it was impossible for democracy to succeed unless the Government controlled the currency and credit its own country had created, and utilised both for the good of its people. "T am convinced that the financial policy of your Government is thoroughly justified, and that it will succeed and that the present crisis will disappear like the lwseless fabric of a dream," he said. "The sane and scientific methods adopted by the Government and accepted by the people of New Zealand will make it increasingly a 'workers' paradise,'" he concluded. No Fascist Salutes. "Your Prime Minister," said Lord Strabolgi, "has asked me to make it clear in England that it is not the intention of his Government to create a totalitarian State in Xew Zealand. I can only say I have travelled the length and breadth of your country and haven't j seen anybody give one Fascist salute. | I have carefully refrained while in your | country from venturing to express any opinion about your domestic politics, but when I return I am going to make it my business to suggest' to the Chanchellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Simon, that he should come out to NewZealand, or, at any rate, send a very powerful representative to study what you are doing here. "At present New Zealand and its policy forms the groundwork f OI - a i] our most important speeches on the platforms in Britain. Upon your success a very great deal depends from our point of view." "On the Bight Coarse." Mr. McDonald said it was no secret that he and Mr. Gray had come to New Zealand with, the idea that the New Zealand Government was on the right course. However, they had made" a critical investigation of the conditions and had paid attention to Press statements and persons they had met. After doing that they were satisfied that the Government was on the rMit track. e Mr. B. O. Schonegevel (South Africa), who was asked to speak by the Prime Minister, referred to the value of British democracy. Botha and Smuts, he said had fought against Britain in the Boer War, but though they had not a drop of British blood in their veins if Britain wanted assistance they would be at the top of the line. Divided the Empire was weak, but united it was strong.