The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, December 4, 1943. MR. HOLLAND’S AUSTRALIAN TOUR.

Grey River Argus, 4 December 1943, Page 4

The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, December 4, 1943. MR. HOLLAND’S AUSTRALIAN TOUR.

Tt has doubtless been a timely visit which the Leader of the Opposition has just paid to Australia,, not only in view of the prospect of increased war activity in the Pacific, but of the need for unity in action between the two Dominions in that connection. However, he returns with the same ideas uppermost as -those which he has expounded for some time. past. The trading balance in Australian favour, which he appears to think we could iron out, is. no new thing.' It is no greater now than it has been over a long period. Evidently Mr.

Holland’s remedy is to allow Australian capitalists to take a substantial share of Dominion industry, for which purpose lie would like the Government to guarantee them scope to develop on lines of their own. Tt is doubtful whether economic penetration of that nature would be as progressive in the long run as a more graduaF expansion of New Zealand enterprise. There may be openings for New Zealand exports to Australia, such as forest products, 'but probably such products in future will find more than one oversea market, without the heed for special concessions to obtain it. Australia has not shown hitherto much inclination to depart from her protectionist policy, hint there is no harm in seeking for an increase of trade on a basis that would give a better balance. If there is a great industrial expansion in Australia, then it should after the war be possible to obtain entry for New Zealand produce in return for Australian manufactures, whereas Australian owned factories here would not be calculated to promote that object. Nevcrthe less Mr. Holland is in agreement with Australian sentiment, and is voicing also New Zealand feeling when he urges closer relations between the two countries in directions additional to those of commerce. The question is how to get together. The war is one factor that is making for greater unity. Future responsibilities, territorial, military and mercantile, make essential a good understanding and willing cooperation. Indeed, actual war operations of an offensive character now developing against Japan are likely to bring these Dominions into closer alignment, Mr. Holland says that Australia’s war effort has resembled our own in the sense that the military side has absorbed more manpower than the economic side of it can continue to spare. The correct inference from that fact, however, would appear to be that both Dominions, if they exceeded a balance, did so on the right side, because there is to-day the opportunity to redress the balance, whereas with a lack of fighting forces, that opportunity might have been taken away. This is indegd a juncture when the respective committments could be reviewed, but it would be foolhardy to assume that other countries will fight for ns on the battle front whilst we concentrate on. the home front. From all accounts, New Zealand within is in any respect as well circumstanced as Australia, and in seine respects better. Summed up, Mr. Holland has little to tell that is not familiar, but it may l?e expected that later the fruits of his tour will be of value in readjusting our policy towards the Commonwealth. It is essential that our legislators should know the minds of those of Australia, although occasional}' Nationalise electoral propaganda has suggested the contrary. It is satisfactory therefore to find Mr. Holland more , open-minded, and that he secs scope for greater co-operation.