AMERICAN INTEREST.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 13 September 1924, Page 15

AMERICAN INTEREST.

IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. - A JOURNALIST’S MISSION. MR. FLOYD GIBBONS ON TOUR, The rapidly-increasing interest displayed in Australia and Ne\y Zealand by Americans since the war, and, no de.ubt, originally aroused in .America by the prominent'role taken by our soldiers iii the actual war, is indicated by the visits of Americans of mark to these countries. The latest among these is Mr Floyd Gibbons, one of the leading; journalists of America, editor of jiie European edition of the Chicago Tribune, and director of the foreign news service of that paper, which, covers some forty odd journals- throughout the United States. Mr Gibbons, who is a passenger by the. Maiinganui eri route fc.r Sydney, lias been specially commissioned by the Tribune to investigate, in view the approaching Presidential election in the United States, the political and social conditions here and in Australia, with special reference to those aspects of Socialistic legislation!’ and “State enterprise” which abroad seem to be our chief title to recognition. The point of his Mission has particular application-to the policy of the so-called Third Party in the Presidential contest—the Progressive Party under the leadership of Senator Robert la Follette, of Wisconsin. This party, it is understood, will claim the support of organised Labour and the Farmers’ “bloc,” which are already associated with a good many proposals smacking—to Americans —of Socialism. The idea has apparently taken root in America that Australia and New Zealand are the home of State enterprise, and that private enterprise is discouraged. Mr Gibbous is out to see- things ior himself and to report to- his great medium for the dissemination of news throughout America oil the state -of tilings as he finds them. His mission is, therefore, of importance to us as well as to America. In the course of an interview with a representative of the Wellington Post, My Gibbons covered a- great’ deal of ground, seeking information, like any good newspaper-man interviewed, as well as giving it. He was agreeably surprised to learn of New Zealand's great foreign trade for a little country, «hich did not quite tally with the idea of the failure of Antipodean methods of tackling social and economic problems, and he expressed himself as enchanted with the views gained by a motor tour round Wellington, the- meet beautiful, he ,said, he had ever seen. He wondered hc.w the suryeypi-s had managed to lay out a. city wider such difficulties. Inquiries into the working of State and municipally organised in--♦•-'tiitinns. such as tramways, railways, telegra-phs, and telephones, and so forth, will occupy his attention ori his return after completing his Australian tour.

DEPRESSION IN U.S.A. DISCOUNTED.

Speaking of America, Mr Gibbons-dis-counted recent- reports as to economic and industrial depression. There was always a certain amount of hesitancy tn the year of a Presidential election, out. the nomination of President Oc.olidge aiid Mr J. W. Davis as Republican -and' Democratic. candidates respectively had been received with confidence, and tne country was tremendously prosperous, without any unemployment. The improvemen t of the outlook in Europe was another factor leading to reassurance as to the future. Here he considered that the British Prime Minister. had already scored a signal triumph, and if the Dawes plan went right through—and the prospect appeared bright—then Mr MacDonald could depend on a renewed lease of political power. Of the future of the Herriot 'Ministry in France, he did not feel quite so sure. M. Poincare was immensely powerful still in France, and any mistake by the present Premier might lead to his downfall. IF DAWES PLAN SUCCEEDS. As to the effect of the successful working of the Dawes plan, Mr Gibbons, speaking from an intimate knowledge of European affairs, held tha-t it would make an enormous change for the better. He prophesied a boom in British trade with the re-opening of Conti-, nental markets, and with riiese he included Russia, observing that Britain’s recognition of the Soviet regime hadbeen a powerful lever in the hands of the British Prime Minister in negotiating a general European settlement. The effect would be feJt throughout the world, for other countries would be likely to fall into line. Of Italy and M tssolini and Fascismo Mr Gibbons 'had something to say, a-s having spent a good deal of time recently in Italy studying the working of the new regime. Though it must bo admitted that there had been lately a considerable reaction against Fascism and its leader on account of the mu-tier of Senator Matteotti, Mussolini was still in supreme control, and likely for some time at least to remain so. He wa-s a man of tremendous force of personality, who- had brought order and efficiency into a rather chaotic democracy. No man better represented in his faults as well as his virtues the popular idol and ideal of Young Italy. NO FEAR FOR THE EMPIRE.

The whole of iast year —1923 —Mi Gibbons spent in an adventurous journey across Africa from North to South from Algiers to Capetown—and nothing in all his experience convinced him so much of the immense resources and potentialities of the British Impire. “You need not he afraid of the future,” he said; “the British Empire is stronger than ever.” Then came a wonderful account of the vast progress made in British West Africa, reached after a perilous journey by camel across the Sahara from Algeria to Timbuctoo. He spoke of Acca on the Cold Coast,*udth its great hospital for natives, fitted with elevators, electric light; a beautiful, building of distinguished architecture, on the unit plan, with all the latest equipment; of a harbour costing several millions, being built for the shipment of manganese ere chiefly; of rich stores of palm oil, cocoa, and mahogany; of negroes riding about in their own motor-cars, with their wives in the rear seat; of a.bound.cg prosperity among a large population of industrious natives. “No,” said Mr Gibbons, ‘‘there is 10 need to he afraid about the future of the Brir.:sh Empire. As for your anxiety in the South Seas here about' any possible attack, well,' you have the official declaration that the peace of the Pacific is the direct concern of the rT nited States. We regard you as the dominant power in the South Pacific, as we are in the North.” “Who do you think "will be the next President of the United States?’’ was the parting question. “ dl. I should he inclined to hadthe present tenant of the White House,” was the renlv.