FINANCE POLICY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 48, 25 January 1939, Page 11

FINANCE POLICY

VIEWS OF VISITORS. TRIBUTES PAID. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 24. That it was impossible for democracy to succeed unless the Government controlled the currency and credit its own country had created and utilised both for the good of its people, was stressed by Hon. W. K. Dwyer-Gray (Deputy Premier and Treasurer of Tasmania), to-day, when overseas politicians at present in New Zealand were entertained at a Slate luncheon at Parliament Buildings. The guests, who were welcomed b.v. the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), were Hon. E. Dwyer-Gra.v. Hon. ,7. McDonald, of the Tasmanian Legislative Assembly and honorary Tasmania!! Minister, and Rt. Hon. the. Lord Strabolgi, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords and Chief Opposition Whip. The luncheon was attended by all Cabinet Ministers, ,Sir Michael Myers (Chief Justice), a number of members of the legislature, and representatives of other parts of the Empire who reside in AVcllington. The Mayor of AVcllington (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) apologised for not being able to attend.

“I am convinced the financial policy of your Government is thoroughly justified and that it will succeed, and that the present crisis will disappear like the baseless fabric of a dream,” Air Dwver-Oray said. “The Dominion is a workers’ paradise, and the sane and scientific methods adopted by the Government and accepted by tile neoplo of New Zealand will make it increasingly a workers’ paradise.” INTEREST AT HOME. “A'our Prime Minister,” said Lord Strabolgi, "has asked mo to make it clear in England that it is not the intention of his Government to create a totalitarian State in New Zealand. I can only say that I have travelled the length and breadth of your country and haven’t seen anybody' give one Fascist salute. ‘T have carefully refrained while in your country from venturing to express any opinion about your domestic politics, hut when I return I am going to make it my business to suggest to the Canchellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon) that he should come out to New Zealand, or at any rate send a very powerful representative to study what you arc doing here at presen t. ‘‘New Zealand and its policy forms the groundwork for all our most important speeches on the platforms in Britain. Upon your success a very great deal depends from our point of view.” ATr McDonald sa.id it was no secret that lie and Mr Grav bad come to New Zealand with the idea that file New Zealand Government was on the right course. However, they had made a critical investigation of the conditions and had paid attention to Press statements and persons they had met. After doing that they were satisfied the Government was on the right track.

AH B. 0. Selionegevel, of South Africa, who was asked to speak by the Prime Minister, referred to the value of British democracy. General Louis Botha and General Smuts, lie said, had fought against Britain in the Boer AVar. but though tbev had not a drop of British blood ill their veins if Britain wanted assistance they would he at the top of Iho line. A divided Empire was weak, but united it was strong.