PATRIOTISM THAT NEEDS NO PARCHMENT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 August 1930, Page 2

PATRIOTISM THAT NEEDS NO PARCHMENT.

PRIME MINISTER VOICES COUNTRY’S DEVOTION

AUCKLAND, Last Night. Slpeaking at a farewell ceremony prior to his departure for the Imperial Conference the Prime Minister said in attending the Conference he know he went first and foremost voicing the very strong feeling of loyalty of New Zealand for the Old Land. Personally he could not. have, any o'fjier sentiment towards the Old Country. He had been brought up in that atmosphere- all his life. They were our kith and kin in the Old Land and he realised that New Zealanders would stand by them through thick and thin. '

There existed that • strong sentiment that was better than anything put on paper. While New Zealand felt towards the Old Land as she did there was no need of parchments. He felt that New Zealand’s representative at the Conference would Be in one of the strongest positions of any because he would be speaking for a people who were all of one mind.

One matter of great importance that would come up at the Conference would be that of Empire trade. In New Zealand we. had given practical expression of our sentiment for the Old Country by giving her manufacturers very substantial preference. Ours was no mere lip service and in the Old Country that expression had been greatly appreciated.

New Zealand had every right to feel proud of her financial position at Home. Her reputation stood higher than that of any of the other Dominions, Now undoubtedly had her trembles. There had been a substantial fall in the value of her products but she had experienced lower prices in the past. Costs were to-day higher but the yrhole thing was a 'matter of readjustment. There were great possibilities for the increase of New Zealand's products. He felt sure that in a few short years her production would be fipubled and with that prospect in front of them there was no,need for the people to feel pessimistic about the future. New would soon get over her difficulties. It was-a matter, of readjustment and then she couldj ‘confidently /face the coming years. r