Responsible Task

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30482, 2 July 1964, Page 1

Responsible Task

WELLINGTON, July 1. The Prime Minister told Parliament tonight he hoped the Commonwealth could become ever stronger to give a lead to a world “so highly charged with emotive racialism.” Speaking of his departure tomorrow for the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference, Mr Holyoake said: “New Zealand has- a very proud record in Commonwealth affairs The Commonweath is changing and changing rapidly. It is platidudinous, but true, that the Commonwealth is at the crossroads.

“We have an opportunity to make it greater. I do not think enough of us realise in this country the great emotive force of racialism. It is growing, not receding. “We have in the Commonwealth an example which I think we can place before the whole world—a lead in multi-racial association. “The bonds must be built stronger We have in embryo here a multi-racial society which can be an example to many other countries, even in the Commonwealth We have a contribution to make.”

(From Our Own Reporter)

The Prime Ministter said: “1 can only do my best I shall try. It will be a strenuous and very responsible task."

The Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan) said: “We all have a growing awareness that the problems of other parts of the world are our problems. The Prime Minister will carry the confidence and good wishes of the Parliament and people of New Zealand" The Leader of the Opposition! Mr Nordmeyer) joined the well-wishing. “The Prime Minister will find many new faces at the London conference. Countries will be represented which have just emerged to nationhood and Commonwealth membership. There will be many difficult problems.

"Approached in the right spirit of tolerance and understanding, these problems and difficulties will be overcome We believe there is a great future for this multi-racial partnership of which the Prime Minister speaks He will have the good will and good wishes of everyone in the Opposition.”