SLASHING ATTACK

Evening Star, Issue 23832, 12 March 1941, Page 8

SLASHING ATTACK

‘CONTEMPORARY NEW ZEALAND' MR MILNER ASSAILS STATEMENTS MISREPRESENTATION OF NATIONAL CHARACTER [Feb United Press Association.] OAMARU, March 12. ' Vigorous condemnation of passages in a nook entitled ‘Contemporary New Zealand,’ were made by Mr Frank Milner at a big public meeting last evening. This hook, said Mr Milner, was compiled for the 1938 conference on British Commonwealth Relations. It was outrageous that the statements he objected to should be permitted publication in a work sponsored by the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, and he was astonished that Mr Downie Stewart bad passe dthein. In chapter 1. Dr J. C. Beaglehole referred to “ this psychological retardation in the continued use of the word ‘ Home ’ for England.” The same chapter quoted au article by Professor Findlay, who was imported from South Africa to Otago University to offer New Zealanders the following impertinent criticism ;—“ The fundamental disease of New Zealanders is a form of idealism. They have made fairy vows and are the victims of ghostly loyalties. Their higher energies are expended in vivifying a system of phantasies, and are unavailable for the uses of ordinary life. The object of this idealism is a visionary and idealised England, which keeps New Zealand permanently in a state of feeblemindedness.” Another passage said: “ There is no necessary indentification of interest between Britain and New Zealand.” Also; “ The disadvantages ws derive from the Commonwealth association are overwhelming.” " These doctrines are also sponsored by Dr Sutch, Mr Mash’s protege, who advocates cutting the painter from Britain,” sraid Mr Milner. “ England gave us security, protects us with her Navy, and gives us our only market. These men are trying to cram down our throats that we owe nothing to England. Mr Nash went around Europe, Russia, Germany, etc., trying to fulfil his promise to get new markets. He didn’t get even sixpence worth out of the lot.” Mr Milner said that typical of these men was the following passage:-—“ The interests of New Zealanders lie more clearly with the struggling Left Wing parties of the world than any system of institutions, however deeply and splendidly rooted in history, which would oppose those parties.” Most New Zealanders, said Mr Milner, would resent such an interpretation of their character by such individuals as Dr Sutch and Dr Findlay.