OUR RELATIONS WITH AUSTRALIA.
Sir,—The Honourable the Minister of Defence has on different occasions laid stress on the fact that New Zealand had done more than Australia per population basis to assist the Mother Country in her present trouble. . The Minister appears to have expressed himself thus on account of someone having pointed out to !him that-more should be done by New Zealand. I would draw his attention to 'he fact that comparisons are odious, particularly so in the case under review. We know that New Zealand has done a great deal, and are proud of the Prime Minister in saying "that we are prepared to do our shirt if necessary," but it certainly does not;look well for us to be pointing out what we have done as compared with what other States are doing. I left New Zealand in February, and have visited New South _ Wales, Victoria and South Australia, and have no hesitation in saying that what Australia has done in the face of the cmel drought that has swept_ their oountry for the past two years is simply wonderful. Last Thursday a "Flag Day" for the Belgians was held in Adelaide, when nearly £3000 was subscribed for those plucky little people, and this when the whole of South Australia was as bare as a floor through the drought. You will agree that it was little wonder that such generosit.y was marked by an immediate breaking _ tof the drought, and it has been raining ever since. In travelling through Australia I have been particularly struck by r tlio warmth of the people towards tho New Zealanders. The Dominion is commonly referred to as one of the, sJ;,ates. I have not heard one whisper in reference to the great service rendered us by the Australian squadron last year. At the Premiers' Conference, to be held next month, in Sydney, I feel sure Mr. Massey will take advantage of the opportunity to further advance the solid basis of friendship which was so firmly -established between New Zealand and Australia by the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon. —I am, etc..
A. AISLABIE. Adelaide, April 12, 1915. [The New Zealand Minister of Defence has consistently paid tribute to Australia's splendid efforts in connection with the war, more especially in respect to the work of the Australian Navy.]
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Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2441, 21 April 1915, Page 4
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386OUR RELATIONS WITH AUSTRALIA. Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2441, 21 April 1915, Page 4
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