820
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
[No.

and to express their profound regret that the United Nations should
continue to suffer from the disturbing attitude of some of the
members. Nevertheless, despite the disappointment of the high hopes
of the founders of the United Nations, my Ministers retain the belief
that there may yet emerge, in the fullness of time, an effective
international organization based on collective security, and firmly
founded on confidence and mutual trust, which will secure that state
of universal peace for which we all most earnestly yearn.

In the widespread uncertainty characterizing the international
scene my Ministers are glad to recognize by contrast in that smaller
group of the British Commonwealth a firm nucleus of strength and
integrity of purpose. It is their determination to do whatever lies
in their power to strengthen the British Commonwealth and Empire
as a bulwark of peace, stability, and progress in the world.

My Minister of External Affairs took part in the meetings of
Commonwealth Ministers held at Colombo in January and at Sydney
in May. These meetings seem to my Advisers to have been of special
importance, both in respect of their discussions and as affording
proof that the springs of Commonwealth action are not confined to
any one geographical centre or to any one racial group.

The far-reaching changes which have taken place in the Pacific
region are matters of deep concern to my Government, who remain
in constant touch with the other Governments of the British Common-
wealth and the United States of America in regard to the situation
in China and its implications for the United Nations.

It is recognized by my Ministers that the existence of extreme
poverty in large areas of the world creates special problems for the
more favoured, and provides the fuel which so readily spreads the
consuming flames of social upheaval and political revolution. They
feel that New Zealand can contribute best towards the solution of
some of these problems by the provision of technical assistance, and
they have accordingly taken an active part in the relevant Common-
wealth and United Nations discussions in this field.

My Minister of Island Territories has recently visited, and was
most warmly received in, the Trusteeship territory of Western Samoa,
where he was able to observe the steady development being made by
the Samoan people in their social, economic, and political affairs. It
is most satisfactory to record that the Trusteeship Council have, in
their examination of New Zealand’s annual report, signified their
approval of this steady progress.

It is the firm conviction of my Government, reinforced by bitter
memories of past experience, that the people of New Zealand, while
continuing to hope and strive and make sacrifices for peace, cannot at
the same time afford to risk the dangers of military unpreparedness.

Already, in accordance with the wishes of the people, as so clearly
expressed in the referendum last year, my Government have put into
operation the scheme of compulsory military training and are pro-
ceeding with other measures for the expansion and strengthening of
the armed services.

In this period of international tension every effort must be made
to ensure the speedy execution of those defence plans which have been
adopted in accordance with the best available advice and are within
the resources of the Dominion. My Ministers have lately had most
valuable discussions with the Chief of the Imperial General Staff,
Field-Marshal Sir William Slim, and with the Inspector-General of
the Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Saunders.

It is the inevitable aftermath of the titanic struggle out of which
we have only recently emerged that there should be a host of difficulties
and complexities, the solution of which requires both time and wisdom.

My Advisers consider that the greatest economic evil confronting
New Zealand to-day is that of inflation, and they are evermindful of
the obligation which their election to office has laid upon them to curb
and to eliminate this insidious danger to the well-being of the wage-
earer and other people in the lower-income groups.