MR. FORBES IN CANADA

Grey River Argus, 26 April 1935, Page 5

MR. FORBES IN CANADA

N.Z. AND WAR Britain the Arbiter (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received April 25 al 7 p.m.) OTTAWA, April 21. Mr G. W. Forbes, N.Z. Premier, is the guest of Lord Bessboi’ough at Government House. He leaves on Thursday for New York, and is sailing on Friday for London. He said he was studying New Zealand-Canada trade with the greatest interest. He declared there was undoubtedly evidence that increased attention was paid in Canada to New Zealand products. There would he important repercussions on the exchange of goods gener

The London despatches stating that an Empire Trade and Defence Conference is contemplated, creates little interest in Canada, on the grounds that Canada has nothing in particular to discuss.

Mr G. W. Forbes, interviewed, said he sees no necessity for the discussion of Empire defence or the foreign policy of the United Kingdom. New Zealand was kept informed of the progress of negotiations with Germany and other European nations. “When Britain is at war,’’ he said, “we are at. war. No discussion has taken place in New Zealand as to our participation or non-participation in any future war involving the Empire, which is the greatest agency for peace in the world. New Zealanders are confident that Britain will always be on tin* side of peace, and will make no commitments that are not absolutely necessary. We don’t have to discuss those things.” If another war broke out, he expected that New Zealand would act as promptly as in 1914, and that there would be no necessity for calling parliament to decide what should be done.