COMMONWEALTH & DOMINION

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1633, 27 December 1912, Page 4

COMMONWEALTH & DOMINION

Complaints arc' common oonccrning the paucityoi New Zealand news published in the, English press, but almost the same state' of things provails in Australia. It is really quite astonishing, seeing what close neighbours wo are with tho Commonwealth, that they know so comparatively little of us and o.f our affairs. To somo extent wo arc better off in that respect than are the people of Australia, for the press cable service from Australia to New Zealand, over-full as it. is of sensation and tragedies, is still infinitely better than the service from the Dominion to the Commonwealth. It may be. that the press of Australia does not, attach much importance to New Zealand news, yet it surely is a desirable thing that the peoples of the two countries should' possess a very full knowledge of what is happening both there and here.. We certainly are- interested in the progress of the Commonwealth, the trend of political events, tho- aspirations and hopes of the people,'.:as,'.-disclosed in public movements of'various kinds; and signs arc-.not lacking, that our neighbours are beginning to be more interested in us-than was perhaps hitherto, the case.'.' The visit of the Minister for ■ Defence; Mr. James Allen, to Australia- seems to have been partly responsible, for stimulating that interest'. Australia, just now is very much engrossed with its naval scheme, and Me. Allan's visit fell at a.'time: when the thoughts: of many in the Commonwealth were_ directed to. New Zealand as a' possible partner in that,scheme. The Conference- between the Dominion Defence Minister ' and the Common-' wealth Government should' lead to, a clearer understanding between the two Governments'.on defence matters; but there arei'other, questions upon which- they could with advantage confer. In this connection it is pleasing to note that we are shortly to have .visits from-the Commonwealth ' Prime Minister, Mb. A. Fisher, . and also' from the Federal. Postmaster-General, Mr. Eraser. Mr. Fisher is coming on a holiday trip, but presumably' will seize the opportunity to talk over matters of mutual concern with- the New Zealand Government: while Mr. Fraser is to visit us partly for pleasure, but partly, also, • 'on business.- _ These, visits' between; the; representatives of the Governments of the two-countries should be encouraged in every possible way. The interchange of opinions which results- should : help materially to a fuller recognition of the many interests we have'in common; for while we may, be trade, rivals in the markets of. the world with some of our primary products, that rivalry offers no" bar to reciprocal arrangements which may be turned to our mutual advantage. It has been frequently urged, in; recent years that representatives of the Overseas Dominions should pay regular and more frequent visits to London, where they might'meet to confer and discuss questions- of Imperial concern. No one will question,the wisdom of this; but equally it. is. desirable that there should- be a regular interchange of visits between representatives of the Commonwealth and. the Dominion; and there should also bo an effort made by the press of the two countries to keep- their respective peoples more fully ; informed than at present respecting, the daily happenings in the-land of their near neighbours and 1 kinsmen.,' :