Evening star., 1949-05-05
Third of a Series.J
BY Anthony Eden

LONDON, May Sin a world
beset with every variety of anxious
problem Of race, color or economy,
New Zealand enjoys a rare immu-
nifty. These are the favored isles.
From the Bay of Islands in the
semitropic North to Invercargill
in the Scottish" South, the main
theme is the same in this land
of lush pasture, superb scenery
and contented people. Dairy and
sheep farming are the pillars of
New Zealand's prosperity and both
are ably and scientifically man
aged. Fruit plays its part, too,
especially in the lands about Mel
son. To the gardener, New Zea-
land offers almost untold posi-
bilities; climate and soil make his
dream come true.
But for many observers. one
of New Zealand's outstanding
achievements is the way in which
two races, in many respects so
dissimilar, have come to live hap
PLY side by side. The Maori wars
were fierce, and peace was made
less than 100 years ago.
The Maoris are highly intelli-
gent and gifted, and it is due to
their sagacity, as we'll as to the
imagination of the newcomers of
British race, that the two peoples
have lived together in growing
friendship for some generations.
Maoris Increasing.
In recent years, the Maoris have
been increasing in numbers and
there are now more than 100. 900
of them. They have their own
representatives in the New Zea-
land Parliament, and their leaders
certainly combine what may be
truly called native wisdom" with
q high and honorable standard OF
craftsmanship. At the same time,
the present parliamentary situa-
ton is not without its humor.
The Labor government has a
lead of only seven seats over the
National Party. These include the
four Maori seats-which give the
government a working majority.
And so the good-natured jest may
be heard that the Maoris are gov
erning New Zealand once again.
Even these blessed isles have
their troubles, however. There are
thorns on the hibiscus. Here. as
elsewhere in the world, there is a
population drift from country to
town. For a nation whose pros
perity is so squarely dependent
upon agricultural production, this
will be serious If 1t persists. Hous-
ing in the rural areas is sparse
and, for whatever reason, con-
struction appears to make slower
progress than in the towns. In
proportion, the finished house also
seems more costly there than the
nations need of men for the land
can justify.
Admirable schemes are in hand
to train ex-service men and the
younger generation for the land.
I met a number of these young
men at Lincoln College near
Christchurch and at Massey Col
lege in the North Island. I can
recall no more stimulating experi-
ence. They have all the splendid
qualities which those who have
known New Zealand troops In
either World War would instinc-
lively expect. They have the
steadiness and staying power OF a
magnificent physique, the friend
illness and tolerant good nature of
a son Of the soil.
Food Production Cited.
New Zealand is doing her full
share and more in food produc-
tion for Britain. Last year she
sent us 1000 tons of meat day.
amounting to about half of our
imported ration. In addition, she
provided more than half of our
butter and cheese ration.
There Is one innovation which,
] was assured, has now become
popular both in New Zealand and
in Australia, but to which I am
not yet converted: The broadcast
ing of parliamentary speeches. It
may be that in a House which
holds only 100 members or less
the practice does not lead to abuse.
On the other hand, I should have
thought that it would result in
speeches being addressed to the
electorate at the popular listen
ing hours rather than in reply to
previous speakers. And so the
cut and thrust of debate would
suffer. This, at least, is what I