‘Days Of The Union Jack Gone’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31117, 21 July 1966, Page 12

‘Days Of The Union Jack Gone’

(Xew Zealand Press Association) WHANGAREI, July 20. Never again can we expect England’s support in any shape or form; although we talk in in terms of the Commonwealth, actually we haven’t such a thing.” said the Government member for Tauranga (Mr G. A. Walsh).

He was addressing the upper forms of Northland College, Kaikohe.

“We in New Zealand still think in terms of the old Union Jack days and we are willing to help our friends of those days—but they are not willing to help us any longer,” Mr Walsh said. Mr Walsh said it was time New Zealanders realised that the time had arrived to make friends elsewhere in the world “and our nearest neighbours are in the Near East.”

"The days of the fluttering of the Union Jack in all parts of the world have gone,” Mr Walsh said. He said that New Zealand would also have to depend on world trade for its existence in the future and not on one’section of a fading empire.

He said that for the first time in its recorded history, Japan had become the world’s greatest shipbuilding nation. Britain, once the leader, had fallen back into third place. “In short, in the future times of trouble, Britain will no longer be able to help us,” he said.

A significant point about the recent Commonwealth conference held in New Zealand was that of the 22 countries represented, only four were white.

“The days of the British Empire are gone and it is about time we looked the simple facts in the face,” Mr Walsh said.

“England has told us repeatedly that she will do what she can east of Suez and also warns us at the same time to find our friends where we can,” he said.