DESTINIES LINKED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23598, 7 September 1938, Page 7

DESTINIES LINKED

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND FEDERAL MINISTER’S VIEWS THE DOMINION’S ADVANCE (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 6. “ Wp in Australia take a good deal of pride that we started you off on the road 100 years ago, so much so that in 1940 we will send a good many thousands of people across to see that you are carrying on the job as vou should,” said Sir Earle Page, Deputy-Prime Minister of Australia, replying to speeches at a civic reception to-day. As Minister of Commerce, he said, it had given him a good deal of pleasure in assisting to make the Australian exhibit worthy of the Centennial Exhibition. Several States were vying with each other to make the display one well worth while.

He had been very interested, Sir Earle continued, in the extraordinary improvement and development which had been made in New Zealand during the 13 years since his last visit, particularly in the great hydro-electric developments at Arapuni and elsewhere, and in the wonderful results achieved in light-soil areas which had then been expanses of waste land. What had been achieved in those volcanic areas was an inspiration and a challenge to Australia to take in hand areas of her own land.

Australia, Sir Earle said, was very glad to co-operate with New Zealand in the provision and improvement of communication and travel facilities. The Empire air mail scheme would soon be complete between Britain and New Zealand through the establishment of a service between Australia and the Dominion, and interest was being stimulated by co-operation between the travel-promotion organisations in both countries. Together Australia and New Zealand should be able to attract many more people from other parts of the world than either could do separately. “ But,” he continued, “ there should also be the fullest interchange of visits of the rank and file of citizens so that they can appreciate to the full the problems that are before them. Our destines undoubtedly lie together. We are the two furthest outposts of the British Empire and vet, strange to say. we are the most British of all the Dominions, we have the greatest percentage of British blood. We are destined to be the bulwark of civilisation, for the principles of which Britain has always stood, and we can be the bulwarks only if we pull together and lend our joint weight to the building up of the Empire to that strength which is the only guarantee of peace in the world.

A STATE LUNCHEON VISITING MINISTER WELCOMED VALUE OF COLLABORATION STRESSED (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept. 6. The common ties binding Australia and New Zealand were emphasised in speeches made at the &iaie luncheon at Parliament House today in honour of the visit of oir Earle Page. . Extending a cordial welcome to Sir Earle on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) referred to the bonds between the two countries, and voiced his conviction that in trade, defence, and other matters much more could be done than had been achieved in the Prime Minister’s welcome was endorsed by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Adam Hamilton), who said that New Zealand could always leam something from overseas visitors, and they too could, perhaps, learn something from New Zealand. He believed that the common interests of Australia and New Zealand amounted to about 90 pe cent, and the other 10 per cent, was friendly rivalry. . e . In a happy speech in reply, oir Earle Page thanked the Government for its courtesy and for the wonderful hospitality extended to him on his brief visit. He emphasised that much was to be gained by collaboration between Australia and New Zealand in defence, trade, and a general improved relationship.