NEW ZEALAND’S DUTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 120, Issue 19991, 15 September 1936, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND’S DUTY.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The time has arrived when every right-thinking citizen should support England in trade and commerce. Let me give historical reasons. (1) If it were not for the United Kingdom, New Zealand, as a British Dominion, could not have existed,.and if by chance it did exist for a short period its independence would be gone ere now. Reasons for that statement are: Louis XIV. was an absolutist of the first order, and had it not been for the United Kingdom and for Marlborough New Zealand could hardly have come into existence as a British country. Not' only was the independence of our country saved, but Europe was saved as well. Then when the French Revolution gave way to Napoleon (sometimes called the Great), whose ability as a leader of armies gave him the mastery of almost all Europe for a time, again it was the United Kingdom that saved Europe and the civilisation of the world. And yel again (191418), when the military party of Germany fought for mastery, had it not been for llaig and the British fleet New Zealand’s independence as a free country would be gone, and we (most probably Australia too), instead of living under a free and constitutional Government, would be compelled to exist under the “jack-boot” of German militarism. Let any. man study the history of the last 200-odd years, let him seriously ponder the enormous benefits he receives, and he will conclude that his duty is to support to the best of his ability the United Kingdom in trade and commerce. It is very regrettable that in this respect we have a lot to learn, when we think that in 1933-34-35, and live months of 193 G, England bought from New Zealand £135,814,674, while New Zealand imported from the United Kingdom only £55,132,800, leaving the most handsome —rather enormous—balance in favour of New Zealand of £80,081,874. This, however, is only one example. But if we were to take a period of, say, eight or ten years the same sort of thing has gone on. We expect England to buy all our goods, and we buy so little from her. 3s it fair, or reasonable, or just? We should have no ill-will to America, or to any foreign country, but surely we should, In a generous way, remember the country which saved us in the day of trouble, who saves us now, as Hie purchaser of our products, and has been ever since we were a nation. This year we have a splendid opportunity to restore our name and to begin afresh. We have a wonderfully beautiful country, and may we not all lay to heart what our duly should be, and prove ourselves worthy of the race we belong to?—I ! am, etc., WM. THOMSON, Editor, The New Zealander. Wellington. September J i. P.S. —The figures given above were kindly supplied to me by the Customs Department Wellington.—W.T.