RESERVE BANK

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 68, 17 September 1936, Page 8

RESERVE BANK

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —With one exception, I have fought a single-handed battle in this correspondence, but, apart from the Government, I know of a. large number.who subscribed to the views I have already expressed. It is clearly obvious from the general tone of all those who have differed that they are opposed to any person of foreign birth, no matter how great his qualifications are proved to be.

Your correspondent "One of the Native Born" produces a new and extraordinary philosophy when he asserts that an election to an honoured position by the people. is no adequate reason for an appointment of this nature. I should have thought this would be the strongest point in his favour, and I don't know whether your correspondent in his remarks intended to belittle Mr. Silverstone or the people of Dunedin who elected him; but whatever the case, it is not worthy of ,any further comment. As "Give New Zealanders a Chance" has ridiculed all my statements, any further facts that I bring forward will carry no weight with him; it is, of course, apparent that anyone holding a different view from this correspondent must be subject to such criticism. Nevertheless, he has not disproved one single fact I made. "A British New Zealander" refers to only British-born holding such high positions in the army or navy oi their country. As one who is New Zealand born I desire to say that I know of many soldiers of foreign descent who fought and died in the last war under tne British flag in defence of their King and country, and I think it is fair to ask that if such men achieve the exalted honours on the battlefields of war they are surely entitled to an opportunity of serving in the highest positions, in times of peace.—l am, etc., • E.M.