Good Time To Take Stock

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31587, 26 January 1968, Page 11

Good Time To Take Stock

(A message from

MR H.M.G. DANIEL.

Australian

Government Trade Commissioner for the South Island.) The celebration of an anniversary is always a special occasion and perhaps the 180th anniversary of the foundation of Australia has a measure of importance even greater than would normally attach to such an event. The passing of each year should showtangible evidence of progress and development and on our anniversary we might well reflect upon our accomplishments and determine the competence of our stewardship. This stock-taking, as it were, must not only include social and economic progress within our country but extend to the shores of our neighbour and indeed to the relations with all the nations of the world.

This one hundred and eightieth year of Australian settlement was exciting, eventful and tragic. Such a year determines the capacity of a nation to maintain its place amongst its brother nations and I trust, even by the harsh standards of modern society, Australia has earned a degree of respect at least adequate for the qualifications of membership.

Of our fellow members, neighbours and brother nations, New Zealand must always be prominent in the minds of our leaders. The relationship between New Zealand and Australia is probably unique. No other two nations with such common heritage, stock, interdependence, social structure and possibly destiny, exist on the face of the earth. A strong New Zealand is vital to Australia and nations become strong through trade. Therefore, it is essential for our mutual growth and prosperity that multi-directional trade be encouraged by whatever means are available. The introduction of the New Zealand-Australia Free Trade Agreement is the formal recognition of our trading partnership but the virtue of its existence is dependent upon the depth of motivation supporting its implementation. There are opportunities for both countries in the markets of the other and I believe that both New Zealand and Australia have developed the degree of maturity which creates an

atmosphere of mutual confidence. Only in such circumstances can neighbouring nations prosper and develop. There are many lessons to be learned from those 180 years. The sufferings and privations of the early settlers are well known. The challenge of their circumstances developed a distinctive character in the people which, in combination with the events of the intervening years, has produced a virile nation, cognisant of its responsibility to mankind and sincere in its endeavours to become a worth-while friend and neighbour. Reminiscences may be appropriate but Australia Day is also an occasion to remind ourselves of the blessings which have been bestowed upon us.