MAKING NEW ZEALAND SELF-RELIANT

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 152, 23 March 1939, Page 10

MAKING NEW ZEALAND SELF-RELIANT

Possibility Of Isolation

By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, March 22.

The possibility of New Zealand, because of the trend of world events, being isolated from tlie rest of Hie world for vears was mentioned by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, in an interview today. Mr. Savage was asked whether he visualized New Zealand being an industrial country.

"To a large extent 1 do,” lie replied. "I do not say this merely because I have certain ideas in my own mind but because of the trend of world events. Most, countries are providing for themselves in the way of primary production today, or at. least the countries which are doing so are increasing in numbers.

"Foreign or international relationships are changing so rapidly at. the present time as to make it possible for a country like Now Zealand to be isolated from the rest of Ihe world for years. Yam will see. therefore, that you do not only have the normal lrend toward what is called economic nationalism but it is the natural trend to produce what you need. International relationships today are in such a position that they make it possilde for eonllicts to arise which may keep New Zealand isolated. "For that reason it is mu bounder, duty to prepare for Hie worst, not only in defence along Hie ordinary lines lint iu the industrial development upon which the defence of the country will largely depend. The more self-reliant the country is Hie less likely will it be that we will find ourselves in difficulties if internal iomil' ■••mflieis take pl.-ice."