BRITISH MINISTERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22167, 22 July 1935, Page 9

BRITISH MINISTERS

DOMINIONS' AFFAIRS IGNORANCE DEPRECATED LORD BLEDISLOE'S VIEWS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. July 19 " I endorse Mr. Forbes' regret that members of the British Cabinet lack personal knowledge of the Dominions. This ignorance is no more marked than as concerns New Zealand," said Viscount Bledisloe, speaking at the Empire Society's summer school. Yet the Empire's future rested predominantly in their hands, continued Lord Bledisloe. If their knowledge was second-hand and scanty, the British proletariat, as well as members of Parliament, were still more ignorant. This was seriously threatening ultimate Dominion separation. Lord Bledisloe paid a tribute to New Zealand as a country of nature's gentlefolk, socially and almost ideally democratic. The average standard of education was very high. The reading of newspapers and books was more widespread than elsewhere in the Empire. Eren the poorest people were generally well informed on the nation's and the world's affairs. Courtesy and good manners were universal. There was very little swearing and drunkenness, and shabbily-dressed people were seldom seen.