NEW ZEALAND’S LOYALTY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 16 January 1931, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND’S LOYALTY

TRIBUTES IN SYDNEY. jj*-» — MR FORBES AS GUEST. (United fi-w. Association—ltv Electric Telrfeinph Copyright.j SYDNEY, Jan. 15. The Right Hon. G. W. Forbes was entertained at a- luncheon organised by the Millions Club. of Sydney and the New Zealand Association. Sir Arthur Rickard, president of the Millions Club, presided. Others present included Archbishop Wright, Sir James G’Grady (retiring Governor of Tasmania), Sir Thomas Sidey, Aiderman Jackson (Lord Mayor of Sydney), Sir Henry Braddon, Sir Thomas Henley, leading representatives of official, professional and commercial circles and an enthusiastic gathering of Now Zealanders resident in Sydney.

Sir Arthur Rickard in proposing the toast of the guest of honour eulogised New Zealand’s patriotism and loyalty to Empre ideals, which made it one of the most important parts of the Empire and also earned for it a favourable position in tlie world’s financial market. He mentioned that Sydney had not heard a New Zealand Prime I Minister sneak for many years, but those who had visited'the city were such outstandhg figures as Sir George Grey. Air Seddon, and later Sir Joseph Ward.

Mr Lowndes, president of the New Zealand Association, also emphasised that New Zealand at all times made help to Britain her first thought. New Zealanders often expressed thankfulness that they had not joined the Commonwealth, but it was possible that if she had the common-sense of her administrators it might have assisted to keep Australia out of the difficulties she' now found herself in. TIES FORAIED IN AVAR TIME.

Air Forbes received an ovation on rising to respond. He -said he was glad fie was able to pass this way and learn something of Australia’s problems at first hand, since New Zealand was intimately concerned with the Commonwealth’s welfare and sympathised with her in her difficulties. Relationships had been strengthened by the ties of brotherhood formed between Australians and New Zealanders in the trying war time. Air Forbes mentioned the various attractions New Zealand offered to tourists and -commented on the need of greater reciprocity in this respect, since while 11,000 New Zealanders visited Australia last year only 8000 Australians went to the Dominion.

Referring to the Imperial Conference, Air Forbes said New Zealand’s sole desire was to help Britain. All the Empire delegations had worked hard to secure something in the way of reform that would benefit Imperial trade, but the Home delegates could not be turned from their attitude on this subject. He hoped, however, that some seed had been sown from which Empire trade would later reap an advantage. A sound basis of trade was to “buy where you sell,” and New Zealand expected the people of Britain to buy her goods. Since the principal means they had of oaying was in goods it was proper that New Zealand should purchase her requirements from the Old Country. The results following this plan left little to complain about. CO-OPERATION APPRECIATED. There were still plenty of problems to engage attention, and their settlement naturally was not always commendable to everybody. Governments could not expect bouquets for all they did. They must do what they -considered right and risk the brickbats of criticism.

Mr Forbes expressed gratitude to tlie people of New Zealand for the way they through their Parliamentary representatives had helped in the lastsession to pass legislation to deal with a serious position. They had subordinated their own domestic concerns to the necessities of the Empire and determined that their Prime Minister should attend the Imperial Conference. They adopted the attitude that their country’s reputation for loyalty and soundness must not -suffer on any account. .Tn England when he was speaking at a provincial centre he was given a copy of an address delivered bv A’iseonnt Lyttelton in 1859 on tlie ideal of those concerned in colonising Canterbury, which was to -see New Zealand established as the Britain of the South. Those ideals prevailed today as -strongly as ever in New Zealand. which whs often described to-day by visitors as more British in characteristics than any other part of the Empire.

The delegates had been treated with wonderful hospitality at Home and the people had showed much sympathy with Australia’s difficulties, which were regarded as temporary and open to- -solution if the right measures were taken. As a New Zealander lie subscribed to this view and assured his hearers the Dominion people- wished them an early return to -sound and lasting prosperity. Australia must have the fullest confidence in herself to achieve this end.

Sir Thomas Sidey also spoke briefly. He drew attention to the fact that New Zealanders were dealing chiefly with Sydney through AVellington and Auckland, but the city of Dunedin was really nearer Melbourne and improved steamship connection between tlio-se ports would bring advantageous trade results.