A Warning On Foreign Aid

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30038, 24 January 1963, Page 12

A Warning On Foreign Aid

Relative to their own prosperity. New Zealanders contribute only modestly to the improvement of living standards in the underdeveloped countries of Asia. Anything that would discourage them from maintaining and increasing their contribution is, therefore, to be deplored on grounds of common humanity and regional security. Nevertheless, as Mr D. Smith, a visiting scientist with recent experience of Asian conditions, has pointed out, aid needs to be provided with discretion and with reasonable assurances of effective use. Because New Zealand is necessarily a small partner in overseas assistance schemes, the risk that its

contributions will not receive proper acknowledgement is enhanced; but this risk will be worth running if the donors know that their money is being spent to good purpose. Statements such as Mr Smith’s should remind the New Zealand authorities of dangers that are bound to exist in any international welfare projects. New Zealand’s principal channel for aid is the Colombo Plan, to which it has given more than £ll million. Most thoughtful New Zealanders, conscious of their national responsibilities, would regret to restrain their humanitarianism because of' administrative or other problems overseas.