EXCHANGING INFORMATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 35, 11 February 1936, Page 8

EXCHANGING INFORMATION

One of the more recent developments in relations between countries

for which there is much to be said is the growing custom of an exchange of visits by Cabinet Ministers or high officials for the purpose, of obtaining information useful to their own communities. An excellent example in point was provided by the arrival yesterday from Australia of two members of the Victorian Government on a mission of inquiry into several problems which both New Zealand and Victoria have had to face. These were clearly set out in an interview with one of the Ministers

(Mr. Goudie) in "The Post" yesterday. Of all the Australian States none bears so close a resemblance in general character to New Zealand* as Victoria. Both are well settled and populated compared with some of the larger States, and what is done in one country may quite readily be applicable to the other. What the Victorian Ministers are anxious to investigate here are the methods pursued in dealing with the problems of transport, unemployment, hospital finance, and afforestation. It would be idle to pretend that New Zealand has solved all or any of these problems in the complete sense, but a visitor, keenly interested, may well be able to pick up ideas as to handling such problems from what he sees and hears in this country. Conversely, he may come across instances of how not to do things, in which case, if he is frank, he may be able to impart useful advice in return for what he receives. In all the complex issues of the modern world this method of mutual consultation and discussion which accompanies an exchange of visits serves a very valuable purpose. It is an application of the old principle of "seeing how the other fellow does it" before launching into elaborate schemes. There is a lesson in it for everybody.