THROUGH ENGLISH EYES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4666, 25 February 1924, Page 2

THROUGH ENGLISH EYES.

DF.VELOI’MENT OF NEW ZEALAND.

A ROAD POLICY WANTED.

A. candid expression of opinion on New Zealand and the administration of its affairs, and the hope that there would yet arise a man of action who would set up a comprehensive road policy, were features of an address by Sil Edwin Cornwall, P.C., in an address to the Rotary Club at Well-' ington on Wednesday last (states the Dominion).

“ Save us from the demoralising taint of national self-satisfaction, urged the chairman of] the day, Mr A Jolly, manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, who added that countries like Australia were inclined to patronise New Zealand, on account of what they considered an excessive spirit of self elevation. “ When Sir Charles Dilke wrote his ‘Greater Britain,’ after visiting the colonies in 1866,” said .Sir Edwin Cornwall, “he expressed the view that New Zealand would never get over the difficulty of provincial Governments ; yet, within ten years of the b”ok appearing, a Dominion Government was established, which was the starting point of the development of the present method of government and organisation that had practically been the work of but four generations. New Zealanders were rightly proud of their country, and have every reason to be. Its traditions, institutions — yes, its defects, too—so closely resemble those of Britain that it is well termed the' Britain of the South. Auckland disagrees with Wellington, just as Yorkshire does Lancashire. Traders disagree, politicians disagree. It is the same at Home.” Tiie Future of Transport.

Although the railways, when allowance was duly made for distances travelled, the time they had been in operation, and the nature of the country, were really excellent, he said, the only excuse that could be given for the roads was that New Zealand was a young country. (Laughter). “ I want to sec a great reformer.” he said, “ a man that will come along with a great policy of roads, for the future of transport is connected closely with them.” (Applause.) A Better Understanding.

Then he turned to the Imperial Confeicnce. “Every Britisher welcomes tiie Imperial Conference,” he said. “But, it should not stop there, Sometimes we expect too much from the meeting of Prime Ministers, and we are impatient because legislation does not immediately follow their delibetations. We ask why do they not explain to us what tliey have done. It is not for that alone that these meetings are held, out for the purpose of each Dominion becoming acquainted with the problems and the point of view of the other, and of the Mother Country. They make always for' a better understanding, and this should be sought in many other ways, such as in the interchange of teachers. Members of the Parliament of Britain have not completed their qualifications for sucn a position until they have seen something of the Dominions. (Hear, hear.) Making A Better Empire,

“When I contemplate what a million and a quarter, people, with a territory the size of Great Britain with its forty millions, has done here in New Zealand I am a,mazed at the successful way in which you hc.ve assembled the threads of nationhood,” said Sir Edwin in conclusion. “We, all of us, have the same mission, the same responsibilities, as members of the British race, Whether it be at Home or in the remotest of the Dominions, all we possess goes for the making of a better Empire, in which all the best traditions, characteristics, and ideals, as well as the constitution and laws of our race, are interwoven. The trust is passed on to us, and, when we pause to contemplate it, we are mindful of something spiritual that is undefinable in mere words that We call the soul of the Empire, running through the British people. How far, as individuals and nations, component parts of it, we will succeed in carrying on the trust placed in us it is. for ourselves to decide, in the best of our wisdom, knowledge, and experience.” (Cheers.)