WELL DONE NEW ZEALAND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21560, 24 January 1940, Page 7

WELL DONE NEW ZEALAND

Century Of Progress British Congratulations United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Conyrlght ’Received January 23, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 22. "The Times.’’ in a leader paying a tribute to New Zealand’s growth, says: "New Zealand’s history affords a startling contrast between British "Imperialism” against which Germany dishonestly inveighs and the practice of the doctrine of Lebenstraum. The assertion of British authority was the very starting point of liberty. The Treaty of Waitangi laid the basis for co-oper-ation between two peoples. There have been wars, but no attempt to teach the degrading dogma of superior race as the Maoris enjoy complete social and political equality. New Zealanders to-day stand on their own feet in the world and have retained a closer affinity with the Motherland than any Dominion but they do not wait for precedents from the Old World. The spirit of the pioneers is conspicuous and translates itself readily into political forms. More than one of the most notable modem advances in social legislation have been first tested in New Zealand. New Zealand statesmen have shown a masterful touch in public finance, not fearing the kind of heresy which becomes orthodox in the next generation. They have achieved strong Government without oppression and without weakening the foundations of stable society. They have opened to the poor as free a field of opportunity as exists anywhere on earth. “The Empire extends to New Zealand not only congratulations but sympathy in the misfortune which has thrown a shadow of war over their anniversary. The great feat of arms of the Achilles is already secure in its brilliant page in the history of New Zealand, while airmen have already written other pages of high distinction. Whether the rest of the chapter is long or short it is certain that it will all be of the same great quality. New Zealand is fighting

for the substance which made her 100 years of growth—for liberty, and her warfare will be worthy of the cause.”