POLITICS AND PERSONS

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18898, 13 January 1927, Page 5

POLITICS AND PERSONS

NEW ZEALAND'S BRIGHT FUTURE. IMPRESSIONS FROM PRIME MINISTERS. (MOM OCt OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, December 1. "Ahnack," a well-known contributor the "Guardian," fays --that during the past few weeks he has been meeting some of tho Dominion Premiers at gatherings where freer conversation » possible than at crowded receptions. At the conclusion of the impressions he has gleaned from Mr Mackenzie King, Mr Drucc, Mr Coatas, General Hertzog, ho writes: , . ''Alone of all tho Dominions New Zealand appears to lie without problems or anxieties. Set apart in its lovely island, her population seems to look forward contentedly to a future of unlimited prosperity and repose. Prospects in Canada. "The Prime Minister of Canada shows very naturally and plainly the relief and gratification ho lecls ab beiii"- securely placed in power lor several" venrs with a reliable majority, after a bout of office in which he was uphold bv a wavering majority of one. His views on his own homo politics showed several elements not always understood here. Like all the Dominion Premiers, ho has an unbounded confidence in tho future of his own laud, and finds in that future his first preoccupation. » Mr Mackenzie King emphasised repeatedly his desire for co-o)>erntioii on the part of tho Mother Country, both in the shape of organised migration and capital. In regard to the future relations with America, ho observed thfct the division of feeling on the North, American Continent ran vertically rather than laterally—and here he was confirmed- by one of the most eminent of American editors with whom I have had several conversations lately. Western Canada and the Western States of America, being botb agricultural communities, have identical interests. The same is partly true of tho industrial and commercial Eastern States that face tho Atlantic. Reverting again to tho question of migration, the Canadian Premier was anxious to dispel the opinion made current by Mr Keynes and others that the Prairie States of Canada were unsuitable for human life. He assured me that there were possibilities of a great development and. in proof, l>egged me to visit Regina, Calgary, Saskatoon, and other large citio? there and compare the conditions with London or Manchester.

"Mr Hruce was equally convinced of tho possibilities before Australia, and equally anxious for immigrants of the right type. General Hcrtzog undoubtedly goes back to fc'outh Africa satisfied with the outcome of the conference. But his opinion becomes increasingly one of individual interest only, since his term of nowcr is phiinlv drawing to a close, rnd it is likely, that the near future will sec him renlacvd by General Smuts and tho South African party."