MR WILL CROOKS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14839, 3 December 1913, Page 5

MR WILL CROOKS IN NEW ZEALAND.

IMPRESSIONS OF POLITICS.

CFROU OUB OW CORRESPONDKNT.i LONDON. Ootober Js4. Following are some extracts from JVlr Will Crooks's diary of the Parliamentary tour- When in Wellington ' lie wrote; — "As if the whole thing had been arranged for my benefit, I went to the House of Commons, and heard the question of the Navy being debated from tho New Zealand point of view, or, rather, all pointe of view. So 1 thought myself rather fortunate that 1 camo on the day I did. Of course, they asked my opinion on the debate, and on the question generally. This meant trouble, I could see, )f 1 took sides, so I said the debate was excellent; and it was, but 'beyond that 1 do not count myself present.' In Labour ranks things are much like Home. Thov agree on the main principles, but don't quite all see the method of-the others. There is the 'down-tool' policy, qnd the full arbitration to bo enforced by Act of Parliament. As those who desiro arbitration have to register under tho Act. those who do not register are, of course, not friendly with' those who do. So some arc called one thing and some another: but as they all seem ver" good-tempered about it, they will worry through right enough. Stranpe to say, ivich side claims to have done well in their respective ways,' 'Talking of the civic reception, he says >— ''The speeches aro fair, and it is very embarrassing after the selected ones havo spoken to find myself called upon by the crowd to speak. I feel it's quite nice of the people, but it's not fair to the other members of tho narty: but up to now they have been kind about it."

Of the prospects of Labour: — "J want to got into your minds at Home that the situation here is that, with thought and organisation, the people can do almost anything." __ 'The present, and also the future, ot New Zealand, i$ full of a living interest. We cannot, even on the spot, express opinions or take sides. They will —as, by the'way,'they ought—worry through it somehow. Biit we may hope they may obtain their desires without too much heart-burninK between themselves. I may be able to elaborate this "when I oomo Home. 1 am, or seem to he, holding a levee most of the time. Trade, commerce, patents, and Empire building—ali are the subject of energetic interviews; but one is obliged to bo wary, or they claim you as on advocate of their particular side of the question. Everyone here declares the future of New Zealand depends upon batter-making one day, and the nest on something else. One is bound to admit they are a very enterprising people."