EMPIRE'S FUTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22470, 14 July 1936, Page 11

EMPIRE'S FUTURE

UNITY OF EFFORT FINANCE AND TRADE PLANNED IMMIGRATION [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Monday Some of the problems faring the British Commonwealth of Nations in the immeiliate future were dealt with by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage,, in an interview to-day. He emphasised* the need for solidarity so far as the countries of the Empire were concerned.

Those in high places, said the Prime Minister, would have to consider the advisability of investing their surplus wealth in British countries. " As long as we invest our surplus wealth in other countries we have to deal with other countries," he added. " I do not think the fact that we invest our surplus wealth in the countries making up the British Commonwealth of Nations will make us insular in any way. It is a well-known fact that you must trade where you put your money. " When the nation is strong the Commonwealth of Nations, will be strong, and when the Commonwealth of Nations is strong it will be something worth while for the rest of the world to deal with. It has been said that the coronation period is not a correct time for the consideration of important economic questions, but in my view it is the time for laying an economic foundation on which to build. It certainly may not be convenient at the moment, but if a few men remained behind until the job was done much could be accomplished." Dominion Marketing Mr. Savage was asked if it was likely that the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, would have to spend a considerable time in Britain. He replied that that was quite likely. At the same time he did not anticipate any hold-up so far as the Dominion marketing arrangements were concerned, as the machinery was running fairly well. The Government was certainly up against a few people, who were trying to throw a spanner into the wheels, but generally there was no difficulty. There was a desire on all sides to cooperate with the Government. It was quite possible mistakes would be made, but they would be corrected. They could only work in the light of experience. The Prime Minister agreed that in any approach to Britain to take more New Zealand produce the question of immigration would naturally arise. " The building of New Zealand naturally implies increasing New Zealand's population." he said. " With due apologies to Dr. Munro and other critics 1 would say that the policy of New Zealand is to increase the buying power of New Zealand. That would make us a better customer of countries of the British Empire. It would also make it easier to carry on the resources of New Zealand if there was a bigger population, but we must begin at the right end. Preparations Necessary "We cannot begin a policy of migration without preparing the way at this end," said Mr. Savage. "We do not want to repeat the old errors and see 10 or 12 men struggling for one job. Any policy of migration must be carried on on common-sense lines and must ombrace the development of New Zealand industries, both primary and secondary. It means preparing a place for immigrants. We must increase our secondary production as well as consider the possibilities of greater primary production. Of course, that involves the encouragement of the other members of the Brfitish Commonwealth of Nations to increase their buying power as well."

A chaotic state of affairs existed in the world to-day, said Mr. Savage, and it was a question of organisation to bring about a better distribution of produce. "But we will not ask for migration until we have thoroughly prepared the way," said Mr. Savage. "The whole thing is wrapped up in defence, migration and industrial development. You can have all the military experts in the world, but you cannot expect them to defend a territory only partially populated. We have to survey the whole of New Zealand's possibilities in the way of land development and the development of secondary industries. That involves some of the things we have already started upon, such as the modernising of the railways and road transport." Careful Selection Heeded Migrants, added the Prime Minister, would have to be carefully selected. For instance, it was of 110 use to bring men out from England who had no experience of farming and then expoct them to make good 011 the land. He did not expect to have men with a university education, but he did expect them to have some experience of farming. Men who could do a good day's work and use their heads were required. Mr. Savage agreed that it was no use asking an unemployed British artisan to make a good farmer, although he said he had known a good many good British miners to make good on the land in New Zealand, It was only a matter of common sense—considering the British people both at Home and abroad —to realise that blood was thicker than water. In corning to some common arrangement between all the peoples of the British Commonwealth of Nations it was merely a question of working out the details.