NEW ZEALAND’S FIRST LABOUR GOVERNMENT:- Was led by Michael Joseph Savage signed a specific Trade Deal with Nazi Germany in 1937 exchanging Dairy and Wool Products for German goods.  Some of Germany’s  military uniforms were reported to be made out of NZ Wool. NZ Labour Govt made it quite clear they were seeking better relations with Nazi Germany= a policy that continued even during & after Hitlers Nazi Regime invade Poland and after the invasion as NZ Govt advocated for a continued negation with Nazi Germany rather than an immediate war. However in 1939 NZ joined the war effort alongside Britain

NEW ZEALANDS TRADE AGREEMENT WITH HITLERS NAZI GERMAN REGIME: Trade Agreement with Nazi German was signed in September 1937 came into effect 1st January 1938. NZ Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage and German Consul Walter Hellenthal signed the Trade Agreement.

NZ’S MINISTERS TOURED HITLERS GERMANY: So what was NZ’s stance towards Nazi Germany at that time. It has been recorded (reported) to be ‘appeasement’. NZ Ministers toured Germany. For example some  like Tim Armstrong expressed what he believed was contentment of the German people under Hitlers Regime, and he discouraged public criticism of Hitlers Germany. NZ used a diplomatic approach in the relationship with Nazi Germany. (Historians have highlighted this ‘most appeasing time’ in NZs Foreign Policy). The Trade Deal boosted the export of strategic materials which included  500 tonnes of butter and mostly wool which increased five-fold in quantity between 1935 and 1938.

TIM ARMSTRONG LABOUR MINISTER VISITED GERMANY: He expressed a positive view of the condition in Germany under Hitler Regime stating “The German People are very contented”.  Armstrong was also the Minister of Immigration. During a tour of Germany in 1937 he visited factories, engaged with Hitlers Regimes Labour Structures. Armstrong’s 1937 observations are often cited by modern historians as an example of New Zealand’s complex and sometimes sympathetic pre-war diplomatic and trade relations with the Nazi regime.

MARK FAGON SAID THAT HE BELIEVED THAT THE TRADE DEAL WITH HITLERS GERMANY WOULD:  Improve the relations between the two countries. In 1936, Mark Fagan, who was the leader of the Legislative Council and a prominent figure in the first Labour government, was involved in negotiations regarding a trade deal with Nazi Germany. (1936 Trade Negotiations: Photos and records from October 1936 indicate that Mark Fagan was part of discussions to establish a trade deal with Hitler’s regime. At the time, this was part of New Zealand’s economic efforts,, despite the known actions of the Nazi regime.

THE 1937 TRADE DEAL AGREEMENT (NEW ZEALAND & GERMAN) RATIFICATION ACT: Was signed 30th September 1937. Historians have noted during the late 1930’s the NZ Govt often advocated for negotiations with Nazi Germany and discouraged criticism of the Nazi Regime (NZ’s Appeasement Policy). Even after Britain declared War in 1939 New Zealand was reported to be honoring the trade agreement and was pushing for negotiated peace until 1940

THE WOOL PARADOX: Historians refer to the ‘Wool Paradox’ referring to the early stages of World War 2 when NZ Soldiers were fighting the Germans- it was reported that NZ Soldiers fighting the Germans may have encountered the enemy wearing uniforms made out of NZ Wool which was sold under the prior trade agreement , (14th July 2009 -Stuff NZ article Author – Michelle Duff titled ‘Labour and Hitler Friendly- Was there Bias? References are made to Massey University Historian James Watson) It was commonly assumed that NZ vocally opposed the Nazi expansion and urged Britain to confront Hitlers regime- two historians argue that this is not true.

NZ LABOUR LED GOVT STILL WANTED TO NEGOTIATE WITH HITLER ON FRIENDLY TERMS:  NZ continued to push for negotiations with Hitler even as Britain declared war, saying that NZ under the first Labour Govt were cozying up to Hitlers Germany in 1938 signing a special Trade Agreement.  (Massey Head of History-Philosophy and Classics James Watson and NZ Defence Force Historian John Crawford.

DISCREPANCIES IN HISTORY BOOKS: They began their Research after discovering discrepancies in history books. They stumble across correspondence between key NZ Ministers in 1939 for continued negotiations with Hitlers Regime. (Poland had been conquered and here was NZ Labour Govt advocating relations with Hitler)

NZ’S POLICY WAS ONE OF APPEASEMENT: The Historians explored further and came up with so much more , it was commonly thought that NZ did not have an independent foreign policy from that of Britain with regards to Nazi Germany but NZ’s Policy under the Labour Govt was to push for further relations  Britain was talking war whilst NZ continued to push for peace negotiations.

PETER FRASER IN 1940: Took a staunch anti Hitler position. However prior to this its believed that this historical information has been glossed over (This historical research has been published in the British Journal of Imperial & Commonwealth History)

WakeUpNZ

RESEARCHER: Cassie

LINK (https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/2577954/NZ-Labour-and-Hitler-friendly#:~:text=NZ%20Labour%20and%20Hitler%20friendly,Stuff)