“AS OTHERS SEE US”

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1932, Page 4

“AS OTHERS SEE US”

OFFER TO RESUME DEBT PAYMENT.

NEW ZEALAND’S ACTION PRAISED. "A refreshing view of “ourselves as others see us” was presented ,to Rotarians at New Plymouth yesterday by Mr. James Weeden, a visitor from London. Ever since he had come to New' Zealand to visit his son at Pukearuhe he had been learning something new, he said. Some of the things he had learned, especially concerning the Homeland, had surprised him. The other day he had read in the Press of a suggestion that payment of debts should be postponed for a long period, about IU(F years. Then he read of a suggestion that New Zealand should start to embark on ■a. coining scheme. He thought that if they adopted the first proposal they Would need to adopt the second. He considered, however, that the coining proposal? was well worth investigation. He had been surprised to read a statement by one of the Dominion’s.'responsible politicians that England was over-burdened with wealth, and, another, that foreign countries were paying England their loans. ' From his knowledge he could say that the foreigners were not making these payments.

“Another* thing that surprised me,” continued Mr. Weeden, “Was to read in this morning’s paper that the . New Zealand Government ha'd offered to pay the Dominion’s war debt to the Old Country, notwithstanding that the Old Country had not asked you for it. But it is just what we would have expected New Zealand to do.” 1 Mr. Weeden referred to the very favourable opinion people at Home had of New Zealand and New Zealanders. He had heard English people say, “That is the one country we would like to go to.” They would appreciate this splendid offer from New Zealand, but he; hoped they, would not accept it, because, though the Old Country was going through hard times, in New Zealand, too, they were experiencing vety . difficult times and they needed that £850,000 very much. He. knew those present would endorse the sentiment actuating New Zealand’s offer, but he hoped those at Home would be able to manage with r out the money. .