New Zealand Changes Over
Those who desire to regard the New Zealand election results as a portent may. Mr. R. G. Menzies, leader of the Conservative Party which is to challenge Labour at the polls in Australia next week, clearly does. And there is a certain suggestive similarity between the issues in New Zealand and here—the Conservatives resolutely opposing any extension of nationalisation, pledging support or the welfare State and promising the relaxation of controls as rapidly and extensively as conditions permit. The trend is towards freedom and away from an excess of planning. New Zealand has declared herself on these issues, and what is most striking about the verdict is that it is 'passed on policies rather than personalities. The Con- servative leaders, having been in opposition for fourteen years, are, to some extent unknown quantities, but none of them is individually of the calibre of men like Mr. Peter Fraser or Mr. Walter Nash, the late Prime Minister and Finance Minister respectively. On personal grounds the defeat of men who have co-operated so cordially, so loyally and so unreservedly with this country in both peace and war is to be regretted, but those sentiments arc the monopoly of no party, and whatever effect the change of govern. ment may have at Wellington, it will leave the ties between New Zealand and Britain precisely what they always were. They could not well be closer. There is not the smallest danger of their becoming less close.
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