CRITICISM OF BOOK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20507, 18 March 1941, Page 5

CRITICISM OF BOOK

MR. MILNER'S REMARKS REPLY TO COMMENT A reply to criticism of his recent address concerning the publication “Contemporary New Zealand” was made by Mr. Frank Milner in a statement to the press in Dunedin. “In reply to Mr. Downie Stewart’s query,” he said, “I have to say that I did in full conference dissociate myself from the assessment of New Zealand’s attitude to Britain as giveh in ‘Contemporary New Zealand.’ Did he do the same? i may say that I went to the 1938 Empire Conference resolved to keep my mouth shut. In spite of high Governmental precedent to the contrary, I did hot think it seemly for delegates from microscopic Nenw Zealand to educate the Empire. I did, however, make one break, and that was to attempt to castigate the protagonist of the New Zealand speakers for his distorted version of Britain’s Far East policy.

“As for the Hon. W. E. Barnard’s reprimand,” Mr. Milner continued, “I regret he does not know the context of my remarks. I made a protest against the resuscitation of Professor Findlay’s unfortunate characterisation of our loyalty as national feeblemindedness. This was recently contributed by Dr. W. M. Sutch to the March, 1941, number of the ‘National Education.’ I did not disinter the corpse. The exhumation was done by Dr. SUtch, who who siluffs up its putrescent odour with his customary avidity. As for ‘Contemporary New Zealand,’ I used the first chapter merely to illustrate the continuity of this pestilent policy of deprecating our Imperial affiliation in order to foster and camouflage republicanism and economic self-suffieiehcy."