“OUR BIG BROTHER”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23706, 13 January 1939, Page 8

“OUR BIG BROTHER ”

RELATIONSHIP WITH AUSTRALIA POSITION OF NEW ZEALAND “MUST STAND TOGETHER” The need for a closer relationship between Australia and New Zealand in the future was referred to last night by the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) when speaking at a reception in the Tudor Hall to a party of Australian tourists. Hinting at the possibility of trouble developing in the Pacific at some future date, the Mayor stressed the necessity for both countries standing together for a common aim. In the matter of defence New Zealand, he said, looked upon Australia as her big brother. “As separate units of the great British Empire we have the same outlook, common aims and a common destiny,” the Mayor said. “ We are likely in the course of time to be more closely linked than any other units of the Empire in looking after the defence of two countries As time went on, he continued, fresh troubles sprang up, and it looked as though in the future the Pacific would be involved in difficulties such as had never been thought of a decade ago. “Although we enjoy the benefits of science, we have also to remember that there are accompanying dangers, and our two countries must always stand together to defend themselves. We must realise that we are partners in the British Empire and must not look to the Mother Country to supply our means of defence alone. We have grown to nationhood and must take our share of the burden. Besides helping Britain to defend her territory we should strive for the peace and goodwill of the world. “We look upon Australia as our big brother in the matter of defence,” he concluded, “ and know it will not see a smaller country exposed to any troubles that may loom over the horizon.”