DOMINION'S NEED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22532, 24 September 1936, Page 13

DOMINION'S NEED

LARGER POPULATION MAINTENANCE OF PROGRESS MR. R. B. BENNETT'S VIEW SPOILED CHILD OF BRITAIN [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday "Frankly, I don't think you can maintain the great progress you have made in Now Zealand unless you have many more people," said the Rt. Hon. R. B. Bennett, former Prime Minister of Canada, during a speech at a complimentary luncheon at which he was the guest of tho New Zealand branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association at Parliament Buildings to-day. Mr. Bennett- emphasised the necessity for the education of the masses of the people, as Disraeli had laid down, if the democratic institution of Parliament were to survive in the British Commonwealth of Nations. Tho president of the branch, the Hon. Sir Walter Carncross, Speaker of the Legislative Council, presided, and members of both Houses of Parliament were present. "It is a privilege to have among us a great Canadian, Mr. Bennett," said the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, proposing the toast of the guest. "We recognise in him a representative of a great country and a great people. Some of us overlook the fact that Canada is tho largest and perhaps the oldest part of the Empire. Trade Problems Everything connected with the Pacific brought Canada and New Zealand close together, said Mr. Savage. Mr. Bennett, by the way, might be able to straighten out the big balance of trade that seemed to occur annually between the two nations. "The ideals of the Canadians are very similar to our own and we want to be one with them in welding the Empire more firmly together," said the Prime Minister. "After all, people who are united in -blood relationship are closely bound to each other; they will sink or swim together. Trade is one of the links that bind the two countries, and it should be possible to develop trade to the advantage of both. It is only a question of getting round the table together. I am looking forward to the time when the nations of the British Commonwealth will gather round a common table and remain there until many of the problems that concern us all are solved. I am advocating here to-day, in plain words," a government by tho people and for the Ksople of the British Commonwealth of ations." Remarkable Progress "I desire to congratulate New Zealand on the very great work already accomplished here," said Mr. Bennett in his reply. "It is truly remarkable that one and a-half million people could have achieved so much in so short a time; in fact, I do not know of any other community of a population of that number that has accomplished what I have seen in this country. Whether my convictions will change as I see other parts of the Empire—Australia and South Africa —I cannot say." Mr. Bennett complimented the Dominion on the calibre of the public men it had sent abroad on the nation's business. New Zealand, he proceeded, was more or less the spoiled child of England, as Mr. Nash would soon find out when he went there; but it should be recognised that there was not always comfort in being a spoiled child. Educated Democracy "We must realise our responsibilities as members of the British Commonwealth for the preservation of our democracy," said Mr. Bennett. The best means of guaranteeing the continuance of democracy was the education of the masses, as Disraeli had emphasised; whether politicians liked it or not, they had to recognise that the masses were their masters. Because they knew who were their masters, Parliamentarians were often slow to take a line of action that might prove unpopular; instead of leading democracy they were too often led by democracy.' No democracy could survive unless its leaders were alive to the need for educating the people to the magnitude of the issues confronting them. (Applause.) "Yes," said Mr. Bennett, "that alwavs brings applause. But what are wo doing about it? My own difficulty is to find out how to, maintain a lead and give expression to what I believe is for the well-being and progress of the people I have served and still retain my place in Parliament. I believe vour difficulty is the same. (Laughter.) We must educate our masters. Small Populations

"Frankly, I don't think you can maintain the great progress you have made in this country unless you have many more people. I say the same thing about my own country. How are we going to solve the problems facing ns when our populations are small and static? Indeed, it is impossible to carry on what has already been achieved unless the populations are increased. "Reform must be slow," Mr. Bennett went on.' "British history teaches the value of the constitutional method to attain desired reforms. We have always relied on an educated democracy to achieve the objectives we have had in mind. To us who were elected by popular vote it has often proved a bitter disappointment. The older we get, the more we appreciate that progress comes line upon line, precept upon precept; progress is made, and the world moves on. We must rely on the power of persuasion of the masses through constitutional channels, and not on compulsion and autocracy."