DANGERS AHEAD.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1925, Page 3

DANGERS AHEAD.

.MR W. P. REEVES WARNING

WELLINGTON, November 13

Addressing Christ’s College old hoys at a luncheon to-day, the Hon. W. P. Reeves said: .

Quite apart from Party politics, 1 want to remind you that this is a democracy. 1 have seen many countries, and there are two dangers which everywhere menace democracy: they arc ignorance and corruption. These are unlikely dangers in this country, where the first is unknown, and the second less threatening than in other countries. But tue danger will come, and it is only men like you to whom the country must look first of all to concern themselves in pubic affairs, and to fight against the influences I have mentioned.

In regal'd to New Zealand’s Imperial relationships, I look to you to keep your active part. Generally speaking, these have been well maintained in the past on the right lines, hut the duty of the country, and its interests, lies in preserving most fully its relationships with the Empire and the great Mother Country. . 1 am not a jingo or militarist, and if I thought that tue Empire made for war 1 rniilil not support it, but 1 think it makes for peace, freedom, and prosperity. Remember that there is reciprocity in Imperial support. Most people are in favour of trade reciprocity, hut it is not fair to expect England to buy from us unless we are prepared ti> buy from her. Let the man with money to spend on articles he needs carry out his patriotic duty.