FREE DEMOCRACY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 63, 8 December 1936, Page 12

FREE DEMOCRACY

Politics, Defence and Citizenship COLLECTIVE SECURITY Views of Civil Lord of the Admiralty As Civil Lord of the Admiralty, .Mr. Kenneth Lindsay, National-Labour M.P. for Kilmarnock Burghs in the British House of Commons since 1933, was the guest of the New Zealand Government at luncheon in Parliament House yesterday afternoon. He 'was given a cordial welcome by the Ministry and some fifty other representatives of the State, the services, and the city. They were rewarded by an exceptionally good speech, in which the visiting guest stimulated thought with penetrating references to the true meaning of collective security, the value of free elections and government, the responsibility of leadership, and the rights and obligations of free citizens. After the loyal toast had been honoured with the simple words. “The King”—no one expressed the thoughts racing in many minds —the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, in proposing a toast to the guest of honour, said Mr. Lindsay was a member of the Mother of Parliaments and Civil Lord of the Admiralty. Every New Zealander welcomed him and would make him welcome everywhere. No doubt Mr. Lindsay as he moved among the people and saw something of New Zealand life would appreciate the problems which were confronting the world in general and the British Commonwealth of Nations in particular. “Personally I had thought of asking th.e Hon. Mr. Fraser to compliment Mr. Lindsay on being a Scotsman.” said Mr. Savage, “but on second thoughts I came to the conclusion that perhaps I had better do it myself. We all know that when Scotsmen get together—(Laughter). I need not say that Mr. Lindsay will soon realise that he is among British people. Although he has travelled many thousands of miles from Home, he will find that he has not lost touch with his own kith and kin and real British sentiment. Dominion Seeks Advice. “The fact that Mr. Lindsay is associated with the British Admiralty is certain proof that he will know that we are living in a changing world.” continued the Prime Minister. “Indeed, one never knows what to expect next. He will know also that we arc just as much concerned as the Admiralty itself about the need of unity as far as the British Commonwealth of Nations is concerned. We have given evidence of our faith in the Admiralty and other British institutions by bringing representatives to New Zealand to advise as to the best means of defence.” (Hear, hear.) \

Mr. Savage went on to refer io the mission of the Minister of Finance and Marketing, Hon. W. Nash, in Great Britain to discuss trade relationships, and said that the New Zealand Government did not want to cut corners or seek advantages without reciprocating in tlie same spirit of fairness and mutual interest. The phrase "Buy British” was equally applicable to every country in the British Commonwealth of Nations, as each was British to tlie core. After discussing the New Zealand Government’s efforts to meet the needs and conditions of a changing world, lie whimsically referred to editorial criticism of the Government’s policy, but added that for every brick thrown at it the Government would replace that one with six bricks.

Tribute to tlie Press. "I know very little about New Zealand.” said Mr'. Lindsay in felicitously replying to the toast and welcome to him.' "I have had to drag myself away front every place. I have received nothing but kindness both from the Government: and people and 1 would like to thank them.

“Let me pay a tribute to the newspapers of New Zealand,” continued Mr. Lindsay. “’rhe quality of the Press is high, and this is true of the country newspapers as of the metropolitan journals. lam not saying they are all up-10-date in their news from Home, but that has got nothing to do with their quality. It is extremely difficult to get accurate news from Home.

“I have been trying to crowd 100 hours into a -10-hour-a-week country, and I have travelled -many miles in many different ways. I have admired the varied scenery and the amazing things which have been done in this country. I must come back and see more of it.” Mr Lindsay confessed that he had been wondering what he could say about things in New Zealand outside his own departmental sphere. Trade in dairy produce, meat, wool, and the question of immigration were matters for his colleagues at Home. Moreover, his own Ayrshire farmers held strong views on these quest ions, and would air t hem. ( Laughter.) Need of Defence. "As to defence 1 know, Mr Prime Minister," Mr. Lindsay said. “that your Government is alive l- the situation, and is taking the best possible technical advice. I could talk on that subject in the presence of experts with all the impertinence of a layman, but 1 do not propose to do so.” .Mr. Lindsay said there had been a lot of nonsense talked about the value of collective security in defence. “If you talk about collective security as a national aspiration it is logical to ask what is going to be done about national defence,” lie added. “That, I think, is th. problem which immediately presents itself to the self-governing Dominions. That is whal collective security really means. May* I leave it a* that ’ 1 do not think it is necessary to dot the i’s and cross the t's.” Referring to what was going on in Europe to-day Mr Lindsay emphasised Ibe need of maintaining the system of free democracy, ami the freedom of election. That system alone dignified the men who were elected and the nation that elected them. A Prime Minister was the chairman of the majority party, and what a dignity and responsibility the position offered. “What the people can easily give they can easily take away, and they do.” he added amid laughter. Mr. Lindsay also mentioned that he found in Germany that .leadership was the predominant principle, and that free election was decried as being weak. The movement in Europe to-day was primarily anti-politician. The political system was being lampooned. This was going on also in England, and in Australia the same thing could he beard iu llie streets I’ersonally lie stood strictly by the democratic system, which implied the will to defend itself. It also implied strength at the centre, the

maintenance of the rights of citizenship, freedom of thought! freedom of contract, and, within reasonable limits, freedom in the exchange of goods. These were the only safeguards for wages and a decent standard of living. “Dictatorship does not go hand in hand with a high standard of living,” Mr. Lindsay added. “That is why 1 am visiting New Zealand to see tills sturdy democratic plan. Meanwhile 1 am proud to lie a' humble Minister ir one of the greatest agencies for peace—the Royal Navy." (Applause.)