CLOSER UNION

Evening Star, Issue 22688, 30 June 1937, Page 18

CLOSER UNION

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND STATE LUHGHEOH TO VISITING MINISTERS [Per United Press Association.] s AUCKLAND, June 29. Cordial expressions of goodwill and hopes of closer co-operation between New Zealand and Australia were exchanged when the Premier of Victoria (the Hon. A. A. Dunstan) and the Minister of Water Supply (the Hon. F. E. Old) were entertained at luncheon by the New Zealand Government at the Grand Hotel. In the absence of the Acting Prime Minister (Air Fraser), who had been obliged to keep a prior engagement at Whangarei, the Alinister of Internal Affairs (Mr Parry) presided. In addition to visiting Ministers and officials accompanying them, the guests were principally Auckland members of both Houses of Parliament. Welcoming the Alinister on behalf of the Government, Mr Parry said that as an Australian he knew New Zealanders were always made to feel at home when in Australia. He hoped Air Dunstan and Mr Old felt equally at home in New Zealand.

“ We, in this country, have a strong desire for closer union and common understanding with Australia,” he continued. “ There is a more imperative need tor this to-day than ever in the history of the two dominions, and the possibility of our being severed from the Mother Country in rhe event of inintornational hostilities makes it even greater. In speaking of unity, Ido nor moan that we should merely render lip service to the principle.” He was especially anxious that something should be done toward reciprocity between the two countries in regard to pensions. This, ho well knew, was a Federal matter in Australia, but the goodwill of the State Governments could do much to bring about an arrangement. The ideal should bo to have the whole matter dealt with on an Imperial scale, and co-operation between Australia and Now Zealand would bo a good beginning. Mr Parry ended by expressing regret that the Prime Minister was not in Now Zealand. Mr Savage, he said, would have taken special pleasure in welcoming the representatives of the Government of Victoria, which was the land of his birth.

“ The difficulties of both our Governments are the same, and I feel strongly that there should be a bettor and more complete understanding between Now Zealand and every State in Australia,” said Mr Dunstan in reply. “ Our futures are interwoven, and the times demand co-operation and reciprocity. We should bo big enough to got together and settle our differences.” .After mentioning Victoria’s present prosperity, Mr Dunstan said that, while everyone* Imped ihat another depres-

sion would not occur, it was essential that the lessons of the last one should be well learned. It was all too easy to forget what had passed. Mr Old remarked that he had been greatly struck' by the fertility of the land in New Zealand, and by the wellkept farmhouses and towns.