SOLID EMPIRE FRONT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 94, 21 March 1939, Page 6

SOLID EMPIRE FRONT.

NEED IN TIME OF STRESS.

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 20.

The need for co-operation among the countries of the British Empire in order to provide a solid front while the threat of war hovered over Europe was stressed hy Mr G. C. Collins, solicitor and newspaper director, Durban, when he arrived by the Niagara to-day on a holiday visit to New Zealand. “I can honestly assure the Empire that she has a loyal member in South Africa,” said Mr Collins. “Her Budget surplus last year has been devoted to greater defence measures, which must be accepted by Britain as a favourable move.” Mr Collins also advocated that New Zealand and South Africa should endeavour to become more closely associated, suggesting that the tourist trade between the two countries might be more effectively fostered. The unsettled conditions in Europe were reflected in the , termination of the great period of prosperity experienced in South Africa, while other countries were recovering from the depression, said Mr Collins. There was no stability in the shart market, and though similar conditions ruled in other countries, he said he was unable to foresee better conditions in South Africa till gold prices improved, which could not be expected till the European differences had been settled.