THE INTERNATIONAL DANGER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 68, 30 April 1943, Page 4

THE INTERNATIONAL DANGER

Sir,—Comradeship and sympathy with the peoples of other nations must not warp our judgment in the use of New Zealand's resources for the. benefit of her own people. The' greatest contribution we can make to world brotherhood and security after the Avar is by establishing economic brotherhood and security within New Zealand, not only as an example, but,, as a basis for harmonious and. generous -relationships with other countries. Our planning for post-war reconstruction must be free l'roin the restraint imposed by either the fear or the actuality of inteference. from outside.

One of my first impressions of New Zealand was the extent of which a sense of weakness and economic dependence, especially on Britain, dominated the outlook of many New Zeaianders in approaching social or commercial problems. This conflicts with our reputation for progrcssiveness, and is entirely unfounded in fact. To-day this attitude. is dangerously apparent. It is implied in many of the publicstatemcnts made by the Hon. Walter Nash, since his return from Washington, antl it is encoiiraged by the construction placed on the propose als recently published from British and United States sources for internationalising the post-war economy and monetary policy. The Atlantic Charter guarantees the rights and powers of individual governments in their own country. We must make it clear that our Parliament is not authorised to enter into any commitments Avhich would limit New Zealand's independence,, especially in the field of internal finance, and that we intend to be free to act in the best interests of our own people. On such a founda,-* tion we will be able to adopt a generous policy for trade and immigration. Those are the rights for which New .Zeaianders are . laying down their lives. Yours etc., JOHN HOG AN.