“WORKERS’ PARADISE”

Evening Star, Issue 23174, 25 January 1939, Page 7

“WORKERS’ PARADISE”

VISITORS’ COMMENT ON DOMINION ECONOMIC POLICY ENDORSED [Pur United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, January 24. The value of mutual support within the .British Commonwealth of Nations during the present unsettled state of the ■ world was stressed to-day at a otate luncheon at Parliament Buildings to overseas politicians. The guests, who were welcomed by the Prime Minister (Rt. Hop. M. J. Savage), were Mr E. Dwyer-Gray, Deputy-Premier and Treasurer of Tasmania, Mr J. McDonald, of the Tasmanian Legislative Assembly, and Lord Strabolgi. Proposing the toast of “ Our Guests," jxr Savage said that members of the Empire bad a common object la. view. He had met men and women from various parts, but they were not close • enough to realities. He had hoped that they could get together to exchange opinions ana settle affairs of the world by the rule of reason. This was no time for violence, and it was time somebody took a stand and got the nations to discuss the future. It should be possible to meet around a table and discuss the problems of the world and make the world immune from war. Mr Savage concluded by asking Lord Strabolgi to assure the people of England that the loyalty which had always characterised New Zealand’s relations with the Mother Country was to-day stronger than ever. Air Dwyer-Gray said that it was impossible for democracy to succeed unless the Government controlled the currency and credit its own country had created, and utilised both for the good of its people. “I am convinced that the financial policy _of your Government is thoroughly justified, and that it will succeed and the 'present crisis will disappear like the baseless fabric of a dream,” he said. “It is a workers’ paradise, and the sane and scientific methods adopted by the Government and accepted by the people of New Zealand will make it increasingly a workers’ paradise.” “ Your Prime Minister,” Lord Strabolgi said, “ has asked me to make it clear in England that it is not the intention of his Government to create a totalitarian State in New Zealand. I can only say that I have Travelled the length and breadth of your country and have not seen anybody give one Fascist salute. I have carefully refrained, while in your country, from venturing to express any opinion about your domestic politics, but. when I return I am going to make it ray business to suggest to the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon) that he should come out to New Zealand,. or at any rate send a very powerful representative, to study what you are doing here. At present New Zealand and its policy form the groundwork for all our most important speeches on the platforms in Britain. Upon your success a very great deal depends from our point of view.” Mr M'Donald said it was no secret that he and Mr Dwyer-Gray bad come to New Zealand with the idea that the New Zealand Governmept..was o|u ; the right course. They had. made ;a critical investigation of the conditions, however, and had paid attention to Press statements and the persons they had met. After doing that they were satisfied that the Government was on the right track. Mr B. O. Schonegevel, of South Africa, who was asked to speak by the Prime Minister, referred to the value of British democracy. General Botha and General Smuts he said, had fought against Britain in the Boer War, but though they had not a drop of British blood in their veins, if Britain wanted assistance they would he at the top of the line. A divided Empire was weak, but united it was strong.