NATIONAL IDEALS

Otago Witness, Issue 3526, 11 October 1921, Page 43

NATIONAL IDEALS

INTERVIEW WITH SIR JOHN FINDLAY. WELLINGTON, October 3. Sir John Findlay, K.C.. who lias returned to Wellington after a visit, to England and America, and who was for several years a leading light in tho Liberal Party, has sufficient breadth of view, not to blame the present Government for the present conditions obtaining in the dominion. In an interesting interview which he gave on arrival to the New Zealand Times, he paid a warm tribute to Air Massey’s ability and broadened outlook oil Imperial affairs. “I regard my old party us gone,” said Sir John Findlay, “largely because the traditional lines of party demarcation have disappeared in a wider outlook, even more largely because in my humble opinion there is no man in public life to-day who has the essential qualities of leadership, except Mr Massey. I have heard Mr Atass v as a speaker, both on the public platform and in his place in Parliament for many yea; ; past, consequently 1 feel able to say that no man in my view in our public lilt? has

profited more by his experiences, has showed move markedly the steadily ripening judgment, and increasing political sagacity and a broader outlook than he; nor, in my opinion, does anyone show a steadier improvement in the grasp of his subjects, or in the lucidity of his public speeches. 1 hold no brief whatever, either marked by Self-interest or obligation for the present Government, but as a native New Zealander and private citizen of this country, I am entitled to urge that in our present stress, stiain, and ciisis our national welfare should transcend all party resentments. The cordial co-operation of every class is the need of the hour, and along with this a clearer idea and appreciation of the distinction between the evils of misgovernment, and the evils of the worldwide operation of uncontrollable economic laws ” Sir John added that Now Zealand was in a better position than other countries that had suffered from the war, and that her financial position was regarded in other countries as sound. ‘iam in a position to say. he concluded, "that the leading financial houses in New York fully share ! this view, and that if our Government requires more loan moneys it can get them from the vast stoies of America on terms as good as in any oilier country in the world. ’