The Dominion. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1938. AN EXCHANGE OF COURTESIES

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 128, 24 February 1938, Page 10

The Dominion. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1938. AN EXCHANGE OF COURTESIES

In the exchange of courtesies at the State luncheon to the commander and officers of the French naval cadet-ship Jeanne d’Arc on Tuesday, citizens have had a seasonable reminder of former associations between the New Zealand and French peoples throughout the perils and tribulations of a world conflict waged for the defence of democratic institutions. Throughout the difficult years of reconstruction following the Great War, the diplomatic friendship between the British and French democracies and the assurances of mutual assistance should the safety and security of either be threatened in the future by acts of aggression, have remained unimpaired. There have been times when the knowledge of this understanding has been the only restraining influence on the turbulent factions in Europe, the sole preventive, indeed, of another outbreak of war. This association, however, has been unable to control the growth in strength f of political forces which in Europe have destroyed the democratic 7 systems in some countries, and to-day constitute , a threat to those of others. ’ Like British people throughout the Commonwealth, the love of liberty, 'independence, and of democratic institutions in France is ardent and tenacious. It is bn this union of faith that the strength of democracy’s resistance to the encroachments of dictatorship ideas upon its hard-won privileges very largely depends. Our French connection, in fact, represents something more profound than an instrument for the defence and security of our material possessions. It stands for the vindication of human freedom and justice, for the defence of a great human principle aptly phrased in the motto of the French Republic, “Liberty, equality, fraternity. . The machinery of government in the two jiations may differ, but it is a difference of constitutional temperament. The basic principles are identical, and it is upon these that the Anglo-French entente finds its greatest strength and security to-day. i The French Republic is passing through an extremely difficult political and economic phase. There has been a. marked swing to the Left, accompanied by grave industrial turmoil resulting from the application of Socialist ideas to the economic machinery of the nation. In spite of this development, political differences have not. blinded the French people to the external dangers which threaten their cherished democratic existence. France for the time being may convey an impression of internal political disunity, but as far as measures for defending and maintaining her security, and for meeting the obligations of her understanding with Britain are concerned, the nation is strongly united. New Zealand people,, therefore, should cordially reciprocate the sentiments extended to this country by, the commander of the Jeanne d’Arc in his felicitous remarks.