FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1935, Page 21 (Supplement)

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

NOT ENOUGH INTEREST. HINT GIVEN TO AUSTRALIANS. London, July 26. “Australia’s lack of interest in foreign affairs is not only discreditable but dangerous," said the Commonwealth Attor-ney-General, Mr. Robert Menzies, in a farewell interview at London. “My experience of foreign affairs in the last few months has been a liberal education," said Mr. Menzies. “The world is becoming so small that it is idle to pretend .any longer that Australia has no contribution to make toward a solution of the world’s problems, but she cannot begin to make it effectively until large masses in Australia become interested in foreign problems.” Referring to Empire relations, Mr. Menzies said; “Th<- chief new thought in my mind is that we must pay more attention to inter-Pominion problems.

“We have concentrated hitherto on relations between the United Kingdom and the various Dominions. I am satisfied that, if the Empire is to be not only a combined force for peace but also an organisation regarding itself as having some broadly common economic interests, Australia must have more contact with South Africa and the other Dominions.

“Thus, instead of regarding ourselves as trade competitors, we must begin to investigate the possibilities of common action for developing our resources and markets.”