N.Z. PRESSMAN

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1930, Page 5

N.Z. PRESSMAN

AN INTERVIEW.

(Australian Press Association)

(Received this day at 11.30 a.m.), •' ' SYDNEY, December 4.

j Mr Gilmour (Chairman of the New Zealand Delegation, to the Imperial Press Conference), discussed points of interest noticed during Eis'visit to England. Hie said an unfortunate teaiure of the news sent to England iwas that- portion., concerning the activities of the extreme elements in Australian Governments which give hostile critics of tire Coni mo nwe a Ith ■ material which they make the utmost use of. Since Australia and New Zealand, are so close to-gether and the Dominions fortunes are bound up with the Commonwealth, New Zealanuers in London are naturally interested in what is being said of Australia. The latter’s critics at. Home,- both in the press and among public men are many, and some are severe, but in both press and public there were a great many who, knew Australia, well, understood ,its condition and ' appreciated its possibilities. Mr ScuUin’s utterances Were calculated to assist Australia in the present crisis and had given much satisfaction to Commonwealth friend?. There was no inclination, to underestimate the difficulties which had been overcome. It was realised there wei4 no grounds to expect prosperity to be regained quipkfy., There was, how- > ever, a feeling that given 'fiihnneiß and v sanity in the Australian Governments, with energy and economy among the Australian people, that the balanpe would soon be turned in Australia’s favour. The latest statistics showed a surplus of exports over imports were gratifying. New, Zealand hid. her own troubles though: hot so bad .as Australia’s and as the latter’s recovery would be of the greafest assistance to the Dominion New Zealanders t naturally hoped for the best for her sister Commonwealth. .

Since arriving in Australia said. Mr Gilmour,-’ I ; vljaye. pessimism expressed regarding the, Australian outlook v by- Australians themselves tlian during All the' .months I; was Home. : Tiie change in Australians own attitude.' would .help the country. ; - v Mr Gilmour added .that he found Australia,.ahead "of Jjew Zealand in advertising its 1 products. - -

Referring to a visit to a number of * European;'countries,' he ■ said he had been struck by the fact that people of;,,Franco? Belgium, < Holland, • Denmark, Germany, Czeeho ■ Slovakia; Austria .Switzerland.: and, Italy . . were working hard. Land workers, both men and women were: in the' fields until late at night.:The soil: was made to yield its utmost. Business men complained'that the .conditiohs were not good, but "the cities appeared to the travellers to be prosperous. Thought there was .depression throughout the world , and complexity and bewilderment prevailed everywhere, there were also signs of energy and virility f '{Happily this ‘.' applied to Britain equally with the other ">

He was returning to New Zealand convinced .that the Empire , was never stronger ‘ nor sounder, at heart, and would rise triumphantly above all the difficulties, provided peace was maintained. Unfortunately there was too frequent talk '.o£Vwax(. but a great majority of- the nations public men realised this would be a crowning disaster if it came upon the world in the present conditions.’ - •