N.Z. JOURNALIST ABROAD.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 5 December 1930, Page 15

N.Z. JOURNALIST ABROAD.

HOPEFUL OUTLOOK FOR AUSTRALIA. CONDITIONS IN EUROPE. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTHIC TELEGRAi'U—COI'YKIOHT.) SYDNEY, December 4. Mr It. J. Gilmour (of lnvereargill), chairman of the New Zealand delegation to the Imperial Press Conference, discussing points of interest noticed during his visit to England, said that an unfortunate feature of the news sent to England was that portions concerning the activities of the extreme elements in the Australian Government gave hostile critics oi the Commonwealth material of which they made the utmost use. Since Australia and New Zealand were so close together, and the Dominion's lortunes were found up witn those of the Commonwealth, New Zeulanders in London were naturally interested in what was being said Australia The latter's critics at Home, both in the l'ress and among public men, were many, and sqme were severe ; but in both the Press and public were a great many who kne»> Australia well, understood its conditions, and appreciated its possibilities. Mr J. H. Scullin's (Prime Minister) utterances were calculated to assist Australia in the present crisis, and had given much satisfaction to the Commonwealth's friends. There was no inclination to underestimate the difficulties which had to be overcome. It was realised that there was no ground to expect prosperity to be regained quickly There was, bowever, a feeling that ~iven firmness and sanity in the Australian Governments, with energy and economy among the Australian people, the balance would soon bo turned in Australia's favour. The latest statistics, showing a surplus of exports over imports, were gratifying. New Zealand had her own troubles, though thev were not so bad as Australia's; and, as the latter's recovery would be of the greatest assistance to the Dominion, Now Zealanders naturally hoped for the best lor her sister Commonwealth. "Since arriving in Australia," said Mr Gilmour, "I have heard more pessimism expressed regarding the Australian outlook by Australians themselves than during all the months 1 was at Home. A change in the Australians own attitude would help the country. Mr Gilmour added that he found Australia ahead of New Zealand in advertising its products. Referring to his visit to a number of European countries, lie said he had been struck bv the fact that the people of France. Belgium, Holland. Denmark, Germany, C'/echoslova.-.a. •\u c+ ria Switzerland, and Italy wore working hard. The land workers, both 'men and women. \'ere in the fields until late at night, and the sou was made to yield its utmost. Business men complained that conditions were not good, but the cities appeared to the traveller to be prosperous. Though there was depression throughout the world, and complexity and bewilderment prova'led everywhere. there were also si<?ns of cnei<Tv and vir : lity. Hapnilv this applied to Great Britain equally with other coun- ] tries. , . He was returning to New Zealand convinced that the Empire was never stronger, nor sounder at heart, ami wo'ild rise triumphantly above nil its diffi-u'tics. provided peace was maintained. Fn'ortiinntelv there was too frequent talk of war; hut the great maioritv of the nations' public men re"li<=pd that this would be tho crowning disaster if it came upon the world in" its present condition.