Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1931. BRITAIN AND EUROPE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 130, 14 March 1931, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1931. BRITAIN AND EUROPE.

The international committee that is to meet in Paris shortly to consider the question of a European Union was appointed by the Assembly or the League of Nations, before which M. Briand, author of the plan, advocated the advantages that would .accrue from "a regime of federal union in Europe." The matter has been well ventilated though so far no more than the broad outline has been under consideration. Some eighteen months ago the proposal was laid before an informal gathering of the European Powers represented at the Assembly. At the request of that gathering, the French Embassy set out the plan in detail for consideration by all the European Powers in the League, and subsequently sent this statement to all the non-European members for their information. Last September, a second gathering, composed and circumstanced similarly to the first, heard M. Briand again, and remitted the plan for formal examination by the League Assembly. In the first informal meeting the British Foreign Minister was stridently non-committal, although not unsympathetic. In his speech at the opening of the League Assembly, however, he went cautiously forward. Prior to the Assembly the matter was referred to the Powers by means of a question aire, for written answers, and though naturally there was some divergence of views regarding various aspects, M. Briand justifiably stated that all the Powers with which the French Government had communicated approved the principle. In her response Britain expressed cordial agreement with the declared aim of the proposal to look away from old hostilities to new friendships in care for "'common interests," and a welcome, particularly, for the idea of economic co-operation. But it was questioned whether the plan can be made to work within the framework of the League, and doubt was expressed whether elaborate machinery, such as a permanent committee and secretariat and a regular conference, is necessary or desirable. Insistence on the advisability of thorough discussion of the plan by the League was a vital point in the British reply. The unique position of Britain in being concerned for the well-being of a vast territory beyond Europe was also taken into account. The rest of the Empire, related only indirectly with the situation in Europe, cannot very well be forgotten. This complicates the position. On the one hand, Britain cannot be aloof from Europe; on the other, she has to consider the outer marches of the Empire. Their tendency is to avoid entanglements with Europe; yet they must have regard to the European responsibilities and duties of Britain.