STATE POLICY

Evening Post, Issue 11, 13 July 1936, Page 10

STATE POLICY

AMERICAN'S COMMENT

MR. SAVAGE'S ANSWER

"My attention has been drawn to a statement made at Auckland by Dr. William Bennett Munro, until recently Professor of History and Government at Harvard University," remarked the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) in an interview today. "Speaking from an ocean liner, safely berthed in Auckland harbour,1 and without a full knowledge of the facts, Dr. Munro is reported to have said that 'the Government of New Zealand is attempting too much in its efforts to improve the living conditions of the people. Its legislation to control hours and wages is going to lead it into financial difficulties.' " "

Mr. Savage said that one would expect that a desire to practise the rules of common courtesy and fair play would have been sufficient to induce Dr. Munro at least to. become acquainted with the facts before condemning the policy of the Government of another country, of which he must know very little.

"A knowledge of New Zealand conditions might help Dr. Munro to understand that the nature and magnitude of the problems of New Zealand and of the United States are not comparable," continued Mr. Savage, "and for that reason alone it is not correct to say that the American Government had 'tried to do much the same thing' under the National Recovery Act, and had failed.

"We are not following in the footsteps of those who were responsible for the National Recovery Act, much as we admire the courage and bigheartedness of those who at least tried to deal with America's problems. We are just trying to carry out the mandate given to us by the New Zealand people—without any interruption by visiting professors."