OBJECTIONABLE TERM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17406, 3 November 1930, Page 11

OBJECTIONABLE TERM

USE OF “AUSTRALASIA” NEW ZEALANDER’S PROTEST LONDON, Sept. 19. Another contribution to tho nuntr crons protests bv New Zealanders against the use of the term “Australasia” is made by Mr. John Adams, who writes from Wellington to the Daily Telegraph. !Mr. Adams says he thinks interest attaches to the fact that; the New Zealand press lias quoted with approval some letters recently appearing in tlie Daily Telegraph regarding the confusion which exists on .the . part of too many English people about New Zealand aiid Australia. He endorses the protest- made by the various correspondents, expressing the view that the confusion is really inexcusable.

‘ Perhaps,” AH'. Adams , says, ‘ ‘ that very objectionable, term ‘Australasia’ is partly responsible. New Zealand chambers of commerce and other responsible bodies here .are trying . to discourage the use of the expression as applicable to the Dominion and I hone the movement will receive the support it deserves. It should not be necessary to point out to our people, at 11 bine that New Zealand is a separate Dominion; that it is 1200 miles from Australia, and that it has a trade of one hundred millions a year.

“While very annoying to the New Zealander, this confusion with Australia has not been a good thing, for business with the United Kingdom. Too often have agencies been placed with Australian firms with the intention that the agency Shall ‘include’ New Zealand. How can any British manufacturer expect to do. business in that way? He has nothing to gain by such a foolish policy, and certainly he has much to lose.

“The British Trade Commissioner in New Zealand has drawn attention time after time to tlie fall in imports from Great Britain and the increase in. imports from the United States. This is to be* regretted exceedingly, and it is a matter of great, concern to New Zealanders, who are keen to buy only British'goods. It is British salesmanship that is at fault. Let the British manufacturer do as the American does and eotne here and see for himself and keep in direct t ouch with the, Dominion. Many of the American manufacturers have their own factories, and branches established here. How di£; ferent. is that from the case of the manufacturers and companies at Home! ....

“'There is a strong .national feeling growing here, and New Zealand is no longer to be considered as a part of Australia or as a kind of ‘agency’ under Australia. And, in fact, there is no reason for doing so. We are very anxious to extend our trade with the Old Country. I have indicated what I consider 'to be tt real hindrance to this extension, and 1 hope that better methods will prevail in the interests of the dear Old Country.”—Auckland Herald. . , ,