LOVE FOR MOTHERLAND

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2406, 28 October 1930, Page 2

LOVE FOR MOTHERLAND

duee everything it retires. New Zealand realised that economic unity was no mere English, political phrase, but was a practical commercial proposition only waiting to be put into operation. It was up to us to show our children, the Dominions, that we, as parents, were not lacking m Einpuc spiiit, said Mr Glossop in conclusion.

MR CLIFFORD GLOSSOP TELLS ROT’ARIANS OF DOMINIONS. PLEA FOR EMPIRE TRADE. The following clipping, taken from an English newspaper, gives details of a speech delivered at Danchcstor, England, some little while ago, by Mr Clifford Glossop, one of Britain’s foremost farmers. Mr Glossop was a member of the British farmers’ party who paid a visit to New Zealand (and to Cambridge) some little time ago, and his references to Cambridge will be read with interest: — “Tell Britain, ye who mark this monument, faithful to her we fell, content we lie.’’ “That.” said Mr Clifford Glossop, of Bramwith Hall, to the Doncaster Rotarians at tlieir luncheon in the Danum Hotel, on Monday, “crystallises the whole spirit of love and loyalty our Dominions have had for us.”

He referred to a war memorial he had seen in the small New Zealand town of Cambridge during liis recent world tour, under the auspieces of the British National Union. Mr Glossop’s address on “The Relationship of Our Dominions to the Mother Country,” was listened to with interest. He spoke from the standpoint of a Colonial. Speaking of impressions gained in

New Zealand, Mr Glossop said that, the Dominions literally looked towards England as their motherland. By way of illustration Mr Glossop said that people met members of the party lie was with and said: “We want to shake the hand of someone who lives near the part of the world where our relatives come from.” The Dominions looked upon England as a leader in learning, art and teaching. Above all, perhaps which was of more commercial value, they did think that wherever they bought English goods they bought real good workmanship. We in'- Great Britain ought to take especial care that whenever we sent manufactured goods to bo sure that they wont out examples of good workmanship so that the advertising value of good workmanship should not be in

any way impaired. The New Zealanders and Australians did not take much interest in European politics. The only interest they did take was due to their regard for the mother country. But they did take an immense amount of interest in anything connected with the Navy, the Suez Canal, and Egypt.

Now Zealand was 12,000 miles from home. Their whole prosperity depended upon exports, upon having a free trade route from New Zealand to England.

They were very interested whenever there was any movement in this country or any conference between European Powers discussed limitation of the Navy. Regarding- the Suez Canal and Egypt the Dominions had realised what a wonderful asset they were to the British nation. The whole being of the Empire in Australia and New Zealand rested in the control of the Suez Canal.

Quoting official figures, Mr Glossop said that for tlic year ending- 1928, of New Zealand's £56,000,000 worth of exports, no loss than £42,000,000 came from products of the soil. During 1928 there were £45,000,000 worth of imports of which £22,500,000 were got from England. In 1929 we in England imported £64,000,000 worth of butter. No less than £42,000,000 worth came from abroad; £24,000,000 worth came from the Empire, only two-thirds. “It is on figures like these that we are going to be judged by thousands and thousands of miles away,” said Mr Glossop, who went on to say that we only imported five per cent, of our supply of mutton from Australia. “What must they think, when faced with financial starvation, hardly knowing how to carry on from day to day, of us importing two-thirds of our mutton and iamb from foreign countries?” asked Mr Glossop.

In urging his hearers to buy Empire goods Mr Glossop said that .novel before had the need for Empire spirit been so greatly felt.

“From an Empire point of view,” said Mr Glossop, “it is a great pity that increased Empire trade has become associated with any political party in this country. Any remarks I make on this subject are not from a political standpoint at all, but from a standpoint which I learned from the people of New Zealand and Australia. There was the question of increased Empire trade during March or April, just the time I was there.” Australia’s Cry. Speaking of the impression the question had made in the Dominions, Mr Glossop said that wherever one went in Australia the one cry was “We want to increase our trade within the Empire. We want to buy more British goods.” The whole of the prosperity of the Dominions depended upon their exports of products from the soil. There was no doubt that Empire trade must have its foundation in the products of the soil. The Dominions had realised it was possible for the British Empire to pro-