THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1937. MR. SAVAGE'S MISSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22687, 27 March 1937, Page 10

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1937. MR. SAVAGE'S MISSION

The Prime .Minister will embark to*day for London, and, it should go without saying, will carry with him the best wishes of all citizens for the success of his Imperial mission. These are anxious times and a great deal depends on whether the members of the British Commonwealth of Nations can agree upon practical measures of co-operation for their own security and for the preservation of world peace. In his farewell addresses, Mr. Savage has on several occasions expressed his Government's attitude to these problems in terms that were satisfactory up to a certain point. His general sentiments and ideas were admirable, but on no occasion did he descend from the general to the particular and the practical. To commit the Dominion too far in advance might be unwise, although the Government has no cares concerning its backing in Parliament, but at least Mr. ; Savage might reasonably have taken the people further into his confidence as to the line he intends to follow in London. He should have nothing to fear from informed public opinion. On the contrary he would win more intelligent support by preparing the public mind for what he may wish to propose at the Imperial Conference. Nor will all the proposing rest with little New Zealand. Other vastly more important and more experienced voices will be heard in London. There is little evidence in Mr. Savage's speeches that he realises he must be prepared to hear as well as be heard ; to be receptive as well as inceptive. He may be able to teach, but there will also be much to learn. It is inspiriting to talk of leading the world, or the Empire, but it may sometimes be necessary and more helpful to follow in behind.

That is not to say that New Zealand should not have a mind of her own and a special point of view to which the Prime Minister can usefully give expression. At the same time it has to be remembered that the chief subjects for discussion and decision at the conference are foreign policy and defence, the latter really depending on and being dictated by the former. In both spheres the British Government will be in a far better position to offer guidance and formulate proposals than any of the Dominions. The visiting representatives, including Mr. Savage, will have, metaphorically speaking, to sit at the feet of Britain and learn of many things of which she has daily to take careful thought. In the past the Dominions have to a large extent been relieved of these cares by the British Foreign Office, the British Navy and the British taxpayers' purse. Yet, as they will be involved by British decisions and may involve Britain by their own, the conference is necessary to devise a common policy and agree on defence measures for carrying it out. Since Britain assumes the greatest responsibility, she must be allowed the largest voice in these high matters of State. At the same time each Dominion will have its special point of view, dictated by its own political and economic interests and its geographical situation. Mr. Savage may realise, for instance, that in the last resort New Zealand's security and future must rest on those of Britain. At the same time a country in the south-west corner of the Pacific is almost bound to lay the emphasis in foreign policy in different places from one in the North-west corner of Europe. Mr. Savage has a duty to explain the Antipodean outlook, and no doubt he will be heard by Britain sympathetically and helpfully.

But the conference will fail if it does not pass beyond statements of attitudes to the formulation of policies to fit the facts as they are discovered. Mr. Savage will be expected to bo able to state, not only New Zealand's viewpoint, but also what she is prepared to do in the circumstances as she finds thein and as they may be presented to her by Britain. Is Mr. Savage ready to make the practical contribution that is the only thing that counts in such a realistic discussion? He should be, because only a few months ago, on a call from Geneva, his Govei-nment made all sorts of concrete proposals designed to make the League of Nations an effective instrument for peace, and pledged this Dominion to assume a variety of seiious obligations. A Government that is found so ready to pledge itself to the world League at Geneva should not bo found less willing to take an activo part in a British League of Nations. It is to bo hoped it may prove to be so. The world ideal appears to bo a long way from realisation, but it could be brought nearer by the example of the British Commonwealth united for peace—and for freedom and democracy as well—and fortified in its endeavour by a co-ordinated and adequate system of defence. At past conferences the Dominions have been intent on establishing their equal status and have achieved virtual autonomy. Now it is a question for New Zealand and the rest whether they are prepared to uphold that status in the one way that it can be upheld. It is to be hoped that Mr. Savage is going to London ready, on New Zealand's behalf, to deal in deeds as well as in words.