THE PRIME MINISTER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 204, 29 July 1937, Page 2

THE PRIME MINISTER

IMPRESSION OF ENGLISH VISIT. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE." Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 28. The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) returned this afternoon by the Rangitata from his visit to England where, with Hon. Walter Nash and Air W. J. Jordan, lie represented New Zealand at the Coronation celebrations and at the Imperial Conference. Intel - viewed on his arrival at Wellington, Mr Savage stated that he was greatly impressed by the Coronation ceremonies and by the evidence they afforded of the importance of the Crown to the British Commonwealth and of the esteem and affection in ■ which Tlioir Mhjesties are universally held. "Nothing could have been more moving," said Air Savage, “than the spontaneous and enthusiastic expression of the'nation’s loyalty. 1 had the privilege of meeting Their Majesties on frequent occasions, and I am convinced that they will maintain nndiminished the highest traditions of their great office. Coronation Day in London was a sight never to be forgotten. Millions of Smiling faces lined the route to Westminster Abbey. The atmosphere of universal happiness and rejoicing, tbe un bounded good humour of the people and the undoubted evidence on all sides' of loyalty to tllo Throne, fo its present occupants and to the Parliamentary system of government will live long in my memory. It was a great privilege and pleasure to me to be present. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.. ‘‘lmmediately after the Coronation the Imperial Conference commenced its consideration of the many difficult and important matters on its agenda. This was, of course, the first Imperial Con ferenco that I have attended. While I w r as in some respects disappointed, 1 am nevertheless convinced that such conferences perform a useful—indeed, a necessary—function and that theii value cannot be entirely measured by the immediate results. “The first and most important sub- • jects for consideration were those of foreign affairs and defence. AVith tilt full approval of my colleagues I expressed at some length the views oi New Zealand on foreign affairs, always paying duo regard .to the facts that we aic a small and isolated people and that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are much more directly and immediately affected by World movements and have much superior facilities for forming a considered and accurate judgment. Nevertheless, I expressed our view that mistakes—and grievous mistakes—had in the past been made in the foreign policy of the Common wealth. “I made no criticism. On the contrary, I definitely affirmed the fact that in the great majority of instances—though not in all—New Zealand had been a consenting party to the steps that had been taken and that, for pur part, we were prepared to accept ftur full share of the responsibility for everything that liad been done in the past. We felt, however, that this was kn occasion for a lull consideration of tlic wdiole subject and that the Commonwealth should aim at a generally accepted Commonwealth policy, for which purpose greater facilities should be provided for mutual consultation than had previously existed. ‘TWO PROPOSALS. “I pointed out in detail where, in our view, errors of judgment had occurred, and I emphasised that, in our opinion, the cause of peace, to which every single portion of the Commonwealth W-as devoted, could best be served by an earnest attempt to face realities and to lay down and publish to the world the lines which as a united Commonwealth we intended to follow in the future. “In this connection I advanced two proposals. In the first place, I emphasised the fact that disputes between nations, leading as they have in the past to war, have invariably had an economic basis, and I urged that this fact should receive its due consideration aiid that concerted international ‘effort should be made to rectify and remove the economic causes of conflict. “I urged the desirability—indeed, the necessity—of so raising the general standard of living that the working nian throughout the world should be enabled to purchase to the same extent as he produced, aiid I expressed the view that once this had been effected it would be found that tbe major possibilities of international conflict would have disappeared. * “As my second point, I re-empha-sised the policy expressed on behalf of New Zealand at the Inst assembly of the League of Nations —which we still hold —and I reaffirmed our view that, until it had been possible to remove economic injustices, it was essential that the collective peace system established at Geneva should be made effective. The Covenant of the League, we felt, was an entirely adequate instrument for this purpose, and I urged that every possible step should he taken bv the members of the British Commonwealth, in co-operation with other members of file League holding these views, to make the Covenant a reality and if necessary to strengthen it. “We saw, I said, no alternative in the existing state of the world, ami we felt that iherc could be no final end to the miseries of war until those nations that loved peace had made it abundantly clear that they were determined to maintain it if necessary bv force.

'COMMON DEFENCE POLICY. “On the subject of defence the viewpoint of New Zealand was that, just ns we lelt the Commonwealth should have a common foreign policy, so we agreed it must have a common defence policy. We made it plain that in the consideration o,f this subject in New Zealand we were concerned, not only with the defence of our own shores and our own people, but also with the defence of the whole British Commonwealth. During the conference we had the advantage of lengthy and detailed discussions on this subject, not onlv with His Majesty's Ministers in the United Kingdom, but also with the responsible heads of the British services, and I wish to say how greatly I appreciate the extreme helpfulness of everybody concerned, their anxiety not to force on any Dominion Governriient a policy that might not lie acceptable to the Government, Parliament. or people of that Dominion and the complete and generous frankness with which every possible piece of information was placed at our disposal. Tam convinced that New Zealand will benefit very greatlv indeed from this aspect of the work of the conference.

'‘Linked in one sense with the question of defence were the inter-connect-ed subjects, trade and migration. Lengthy discussions took place on the question of trade generallv. not only within the Commonwealth, but also from the international point of view. Mr Nash, had, of course, been engaged with great energy on these subjects for some time before my arrival, and, indeed, discussions are still continuing on the subject of migration. I made it plain that the New Zealand Government could not, if only from the point of view of the migrants themselves embark on a renewed policy of migration until it was clear

what, on tiieir arrival in New Zealand, the migrants were to do. MARKET FIRST NEEDED. “Clearly in a country which is peculiarly suitable for primary production migrants would normally be placed on the land, and I made it quite plain that, until it -was clear that a market was available lor the additional produce that would result, there could be no advantage to be gained by such a transfer of population. We had detailed discussions on tile subject with the Overseas Settlement Board, of which Lord Hartington is chairman, and the Secretary of State for Domin. ion Affairs (Rt. Hon. Malcolm MacDonald) is arranging to set up all the necessnry machinery in order that it may be available for immediate ap plication as soon as circumstances allow of the renewed migration, which we all desire. “In this connection I reaffirmed the policy which we had already expressed—namely, that to the extent that the United Kingdom would purchase the expanding primary products of New Zealand we for our part wou)d be prepared to devote the whole of tlm proceeds derived to the purchase ol goods in the United Kingdom, and I added that, if New Zealand could find no market for her expanding primarv produce, it would be essential for us to endeavour to facilitate a more balanced economy in New Zealand by building up local manufacturing industries and thus extending our internal market. PACIFIC SHIPPING. “One matter discussed at the conference which is of great importance to New Zealand was that 'of shipping, and as a result of those discussions it seems clear that modern vessels under the British flag will be available for the tfans-Pacific service at no very distant date. “The question of air transport also received lengthy consideration, and while discussions were not finally concluded, it is probable that in this case also air transport between all portions of the Commonwealth will be in operation in the near future. “I need not say,” said Mr Savage, how happy I am to be back in New Zealand, where I feel I belong and where the foundations of all our activities must be laid. This experience has been most interesting and most valuable to me, and while fit this conference, as in the case of most conferences, one conld not help feeling thrvt there was some reluctance to approach realities and actually to tackle the problems involved, I am, nevertheless, convinced that some useful work was done and that it is essential that the Prime Minister of New Zealand, whoever he may be, should be present at such gatherings. “I cannot conclude without referring to the warm and generous hospitality that was extended on all sides to myself. my colleagues and staff. Nothing could have exceeded the kindness with which we acre received in all quarters and the personal contacts facilitated by such visits arc not the least valuable aspect. “I am very grateful to my colleagues in New Zealand for the extra, work and responsibility which they have so ablv undertaken * during my absence. It must have entailed a. good deal of strain and placed a heavy burden upon

them.” ~TTJ OFFICIAL WELCOME. ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTIONS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 28. Enthusiastic receptions were accorded Mr Savage on arrival, and on goihg ashore lie found awaiting him a large number of messages of goodwill from all parts of the Dominion. jfr Savage received his first welcome from his Ministerial colleagues and friends. The party, which included Major A. Purvis, who represented the Governor-General, the actiug-Prime Minister (Hon. P. Fraser), other meml>ers of the Ministry and the President of the New Zealand Labour Party (Mr James Roberts), went out on the Janie Seddon to meet the Rangitata down the harbour. As the Janie Seddon drew alongside the liner, Mr Savage stood on the upper deck of the ship waving to the welcoming party, which reciprocated with cheers. After the doctor and Customs officials ha.d ascended the gangway Major Purvis was the first to go aboard to welcome Mr Savage on behalf of His Excellency. He was followed by Mr Eraser and the remaining members of the party. Further cheers were given Mr Savage on the Rangitata, from where he broadcast a brief message, expressing appreciation of the welcome extended him and stating how pleased ho was to be back again in New ZeaAs the ship drew alongside the wharf where there was a large crowd, including members of Parliament and heads of departments, the Prime Minister received a railway welcome by the prolonged whistling of locomotives in the railway yards. Amid further cheering and applause Mr Savage descended the gangway to receive a welcome from the Wellington Harbour Board. He took his place on the stand in the adjoining wharf shed amid the singing of “For He s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Another enthusiastic reception Was accorded the Prime Minister when lie attended the Town Hall to-night for a civic welcome on behalf of the Wellington City Council and citizens ot Wellington." To-morrow Mr Savage tvill be welcomed by caucus in the morning and in the afternoon by a. gathering of the Parliamentary Labour Party. . , - Mr Savage was accompanied on lus return from England bv the permanent head of the Prime Minister « department (Mr C. A. Berendsen). the Prime Minister's chief secretary (Mr C. A. Jeffrey) and the chief messenger ot the Prime Minister’s department (Mr A. L. Lewis). TOWN HALL PACKED.

CIVIC WELCOME HELD

Per Press Association. • WELLINGTON. July 28,

A crowd of 3000 packed tlic Town Hall to the doors for the civic welcome to-nmht. When he entered with the •iotiinr-Prime Minister (Hon. P. Fraser) and the Mayor (Air T. C. A. Hislop) Mr Savage received a wonderful ovation. , .... . . • “Irrespective of political opinion, thought or action, all the people of this citv feel the highest personal respect and regard for vour courage and determination.” said the, Mayor (Mr T C A Tiislop). “Vour self-sacrifice ajid life-long principles must surely gain the highest, admiration of all in the capital citv.” The Mayor also paid tribute to the co-operation and wise guidance h 6 had received from the acting-Prime Minister. “NO DISAPPOINTMENTS.” “The people of the country sent you away to represent them at the Cononation and Imperial Conference, assured you would represent them creditably.” said Mr Eraser. “We are not a hit disappointed in any particular. It was your privilege to carry the trust and confidence of the people of New Zealand and you have come hack with all that trust still in you.” Air Fraser summed up the importance of the conference and said the people knew from the reports received that on every occasion Air Savage had expressed the

sentiments'of true democracy. Together with Ids colleagues, Messrs Nash and Armstrong, Mr Savage had given good service. , , . " Mr Savage said it was pleasing, to him to return from the Old Land and find the King George Memorial campaign had been such an unqualified success. His thanks were due to those who had carried on the work of the Government during his absence. Mr Fraser and those who had been associated with him not only played a great part in the memorial campaign, hut they played a great part in the political affairs of New Zealand during the last four months. Perhaps a greater part than the rank and file of citizens were in a position to know. PRAISE FOR N.Z. BUTTER. “I have just come from the Old Land and have had the privilege of speaking to representatives of cljanibors of commerce and other commercial organisations, and 1 was assured that in the ease of the dairy industry New Zealand butter had iio superior in the British market,” said -Mr Savage. “That is something you don’t hear every day. I didn’t ask for it. It was fired at me during a function held in luy honour in Hull. The only thing that seemed to be wrong was that our products were hot reaching tile people who refilly wanted them. It is up to us to do something more than has been done in the nast m getting our products directly to the people of Britain.” •- Mr Savage said that, if there was one mail representing New Zealand wlio put the Dominion on the map in tlie Old Country it was Hon. Walter Nash. It was a question of business with Mr Nash and that he had made good.