FRIENDSHIP NEEDED

Evening Star, Issue 22455, 28 September 1936, Page 8

FRIENDSHIP NEEDED

AMERICA AND BRITISH PACIFIC NATIONS U.S. INDUSTRIALIST TO INVEST MILLION IN AUSTRALIA [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 28. Stating that there was a definite move among British and American financial interests to invest in industry in Australia, Mr B. S. Stevens, Premier of New South Wales, who is returning by the Aorangi with his wife and family from an extensive tour of Britain, Europe, and America, informed an interviewer that he had discussions with a number of New York industrialists, one of whom proposes to invest a million sterling in two industries in Australia. “ Your country and our country have very much in common,” said Mr Stevens. “Wo should like New Zealand to know that our feeling is that we should get closer together in all matters affecting mutual interests, particularly our interests as nations in the Pacific. The problem of the future is not by any means to Europe and the Old World. Within a short period great problems of concern to Pacific countries will arise. I have no doubt New Zealand and Australia will tackle these together, just as they did the Great War period.

“ There is a great amount of friendship toward both of us in Canada and the United States. I hope that America will play a bigger part in world politics. The strength which comes from her size and importance is needed in establishing international security. The English-speaking peoples have great responsibilities.

Mr Stevens added that there was evidence in Europe of impending trouble. However, strong influences were making for peace, and everybody was recognising war as a common catastrophe. The spread of an international spirit prompted by moral and spiritual motives was the only way to ensure lasting peace and to sustain modern civilisation.