PREMIER'S PRAISE

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 3, 26 August 1931, Page 3

PREMIER'S PRAISE

("Post" Special Commissioner.)

WILL ADVANCE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE EMPIRE. GOOD AUGURY FOR FUTURE.

WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The dramatic political development in Great Britain has caused many members of the New Zealand Parliament to speculate on the possible effect the British coalition will have on events in the Dominion. When interviewed t'o-day, the Party leaders were disinclined to eomment on the possible influence events in the United Kingdom would have on the Dominion, but the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, praised the stand taken by the Conservative and Labour leaders. _

"The first thing that strikes one in connection with the development in Great Britain," said Mr. Forbes, "is the patriotism Mr. Stanley Baldwin, head of the very strong Opposition Party, has shown in accepting office under Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, and Mr. MacDonald is to be commended for taking a course which is undoubtedly in the interests of the Empire. It indicates that', when the necessities of the country call, these men are prepared to sink their personal and their Party ambitions, and with such a spirit in evidence, one feels more hopeful of the future concerning affairs in Great Britain." "There is no doubt," continued Mr. Forbes, "that the Old Country has her difficulties and that these are becoming greater. We in New Zealand are very closely concerned with ihe prosperity and well-being of Great Brita'n because that is the market for our products, and if anything g'oes wrong with our principal customer, it rnust react upon us here. "The knov/ledge that her Parliamentarians have set out for the stab'lisation of their political situation augurs well for action concerning 'ndustrial and commercial problenis. The question of Imperial preference will now ccme into greater prominence than ever before and will assuredly recei^s more .sarious consideration than has been devoted to this impoitant subject in the past."