POLITICS AND PERSONS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 29 January 1927, Page 5

POLITICS AND PERSONS.

THE OVERSEAS DOMINIONS. LONDON, Dec. 4. ■ “Almack,” a well-known contributor to The Guardian, says that during the past few weeks he has been meeting some of the Dominion Prime Ministers at gatherings where freer conversation is possible than at crowded receptions. At the conclusion of the impressions he has gleaned from Mr Mackenzie King, Mr Bruce, Mr Coates, General Hertzog, he writes: 1 ‘ Alone of all the Dominions New Zealand appears to be without problems or anxieties. Set apart in its lovely island, her population seems to look forward contentedly to a future of unlimited prosperity and repose. ‘ ‘ The Prime Minister of Canada shows very naturally and plainly the relief and gratification he feels at being securely placed in power for several years with a f reliable majority, after 'i bout of office in which he was upheld by a wavering majority of one. His views on his own home politics showed several elements not always understood here. Like all the Dominion Prime Ministers, he has an unbounded confidence in the future of his own land, and finds in that future his first preoccupation. Mr Mackenzie King emphasised repeatedly his desire for cooperation on the part of the Mother Country, both in the shape of organised migration and capital. In regard to the future relations with America, he observed that the division of feeling on the North American Continent ran vertically rather than laterally—and here* he was confirmed by one of the most eminent of American editors with whom I have had several conversations lately. Western Canada and the Western States,of America, being both agricultural communities, have identical interests. The same is partly true of the Industrial and commercial Eastern States that face the Atlantic.

Reverting again to the question of migration, the Canadian Prime Minister was anxious to dispel the opinion made current by Mr Keynes and others, that the Prairie States of. Canada were unsuitable for human life. He assured me that there were possibilities of a great development and, in proof, begged me to visit Regina. Calgary, Saskatoon, and other large cities there and, compare the conditions with London or Manchester.

“Mr Bruce was equally convinced of the possibilities before Australia, and equally anxious for immigrants of the right type. General Hertzog undoubtedly goes hack to South Africa satisfied with the outcome of the conference. But his opinion becomes increasingly one of individual interest only, since his term of power is. plainly ing to a close, and it is likely that the near future will see him replaced, by General Smuts and the South African party. ’ ’