MALAYA AND NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28536, 15 March 1958, Page 10

MALAYA AND NEW ZEALAND

[Specially written for “The Press” by MALCOLM W. WILSON.)

TN two respects at least Singa-i pore reminds one of Christchurch—in the number of its| bicycles and in the number of its children. Bicycles glide precariously between speeding cars and are piled up in parking racks outside buildings. Children swarm everywhere, new schools seem to be in almost every street, and most of these schools run two sittings for the educational meals they provide. One group of children attend in the mornings, a second group in the afternoons. There are other ways also in which Malaya resembles New Zealand. The Malayan jungle is surprisingly like the New Zealand bush. The hills around Ipoh could be mistaken for bush-clad ranges in the North Island. And the Malays could be taken for Maoris, except that they wear more colourful garments. The most significant thing, however, that Malaya and New Zealand have in common is the fact that they are both small countries within the South-east Asian area. Malaya being at the centre and New Zealand on the edge. Surely. New Zealanders should require some knowledge of Malaya, and understanding, for we are involved with the people of Malaya in common interests and problems. Three Peoples Three races make up the great majority of the population of Malaya, the Malay, the Chinese, and the Indian. Malays slightly outnumber the Chinese within the federation. In Singapore the Chinese are far in excess of all other races combined, which is why Singapore is not within the federation. Here is an oppor-

tunity to achieve a united multiracial community, but the prospects for such an achievement are not bright The Malays fear, with good reason, that the industry and business ability of the Chinese will gain them the control of the country, and the Chinese, with a calm assumption of their inherent superiority over all other races, infuriate the Malays and Indians. The Chinese have a word for the Malays which could be translated as “foreigners,” or even more accurately for those with Biblical knowledge, as “Gentiles.” Yet the Malays are the original inhabitants and the Chinese relative newcomers. The Federation of Malaya is now a free and independent member of the British Commonwealth, and Singapore island has self-government. Much depends upon the success or failure of democratic government in both places. There are disquieting signs. A very small percentage of the electors voted in recent elections. There is talk of making voting compulsory, and New Zealand is frequently, and mistakenly, quoted as an example of a country which has compulsory voting. Attempts at a Communist revolution Seem to be almost supressed $o far as the terrorists in the jungle are concerned, but there' is evidence of communist infiltration in the secondary schools. At present the country is prosperous, as can be seen from the great amount of building going on—new housing areas, huge blocks of flats, business premises, and factories. Should an economic depression occur the newly launched democracy would run into difficulties.