STATE LUNCHEON

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 58, 6 September 1938, Page 12

STATE LUNCHEON

COMMON BOND EMPHASISED

The common ties binding Australia and New Zealand were emphasised in the speeches made at the State luncheon at Parliament House today in honour of the visit of the Rt. Hon. Sir Earle Page, G.C.M.G., Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Australia.

In extending a cordial welcome to Sir Earle Page on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand the Prime Minister (the.Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) referred to the bonds between the two countries and voiced his conviction that in trade and defence and other matters much more could be done than had been achieved in the past.

The welcome was endorsed by the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. A. Hamilton), who said that New Zealand could always learn something from overseas visitors, and they, too, could perhaps learn something from New Zealand. He believed that the common interests of Australia and New .Zealand amounted to about 90 per cent.; the other 10 per cent, was friendly rivalry. In a happy speech in reply Sir Earle Page thanked the Government for the courtesy and wonderful hospitality extended to him on his brief visit to New Zealand, and emphasised that much was to be gained by collaboration between Australia and New Zealand in defence, trade, and a general improved relationship.

Great Britain is one of the very few first-class Powers which have not established schools for training dogs for military purposes.