SECOND VISIT TO N.Z.

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21250, 23 August 1934, Page 10

SECOND VISIT TO N.Z.

MR MALCOLM MACDONALD DOMINION'S TARIFF MOVE PRAISED llHOll OUB OVK CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, July 20. In 1925 a party of Oxford students spent five weeks touring New Zealand and debating at the various University Colleges. One of them was the Prime Minister's son, Mr Malcolm Mac Donald. In December he is to renew his acquaintance with the Dominion, but this time as Under-Secretary of Dominion Affairs. Needless to say, he is looking forward to this trip. Yesterday he spoke with enthusiasm of seeing New Zealand again. The GovernorGeneral has invited him to be his guest. Asked if it is to be a pleasure trip or for education, he said: "Decidedly education." As Under-Secretary for the Dominions his stay in Australia and New Zealand will naturally be taken up very largely with political affairs, and with assimilating those matters which will be useful to him in the office that he holds, but his three weeks in.the Dominion should give him a little time for recreation. He will certainly be visiting the four chief centres, he said. He goes out as a representative of the Empire Parliamentary Association to the Victorian Centenary celebrations. One member is to represent each of the Dominions, and Mr Mac Donald has been chosen to represent the United Kingdom branch. Doubtless some of his activities in New Zealand will be arranged by the New Zealand branch of the Parliamentary Association, and one may take it for granted that some of the public will have an opportunity of hearing him speak. His speeches are moderate and statesmanlike. They may be compared to the summing up of a judge rather than to the advocacy of counsel.

Report on Migration In this connexion it was interesting to learn from him that for twelve months he has sat as chairman of an inter-departmental committee on migration, and that the report will shortly be published. When he replied for the Government after the debate on Sir Henry Page-Croft's scheme for overseas settlement,, he expressed the Government's views that the greatest results would be attained by filtration on the old lines when economic conditions improve. Although he did not commit himself, it was gathered that the latest inter-departmental report on migration will not contain any revolutionary suggestions. Ottawa Agreements Mr Macdonald spoke with enthusiasm regarding the latest display of Imperial patriotism on the part of New Zealand—the lowering of the tariff barriers. "We knew at Ottawa," he said, "that there must be some delay in carrying out the agreements, and the British Government did not expect action to be taken for a considerable time. Now, however, New Zealand has observed those agreements in the most handsome way." Mr Macdonald named a number of New Zealanders he had met in this country and in the Dominionpoliticians and others—whom he is looking forward to meeting again. He is leaving England at the beginning of September and arriving in Australia about October 4. Early in December he will sail for New Zealand, and will certainly remain there until after Christmas.