CLOSER ALLIANCE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 208, 30 May 1941, Page 8

CLOSER ALLIANCE

Great Britain And America NEW ZEALAND’S PART

“I think it is quite evident that it will be a world calamity if cooperation between Great Britain and the United States ceases,” said. Mr. H. F. von Haast, speaking at the monthly luncheon of the Wellington Justices of the Peace Association yesterday. In emphasizing the need for a lasting alliance between the two nations, he strongly urged New Zealanders to plav their part in fostering more friendly relationships with America, so that after the war there might be a closer understanding between the two peoples. -

The security of the democracies was at stake, he said, and it was only by tlie pooling of ideas and co-operation

on matters of defence that the menace of Hitler could be crushed.

To understand the true character of the American people, one had to go back to the Monroe Doctrine and America’s policy of keeping America for the Americans, and not assuming the responsibility of being her brothers’ keeper outside the Western Hemisphere. The British Empire, on the other hand, with responsibility for looking after races of every civilization and of every colour and creed, bad been forced to become her brothers’ keeper. Necessity brought her into contact with the peoples of every nation and a state of isolation was not possible for her to maintain. Thus the two nations had developed different outlooks, with the result that whereas America had become independent, Great Britain could not stand aloof from the rest of the world.

When Germany began her peaceful penetration and challenged England with her fleet before the Great War, it soon became recognized that indirectly this was a challenge to America. Eventually America entered the war at the eleventh hour, but, having achieved victory, she did not put her heart into world peace. The subsequent futility of the League of Nations led America to assume that she was justified in taking no part in that international organization. America Threatened.

“Now the eleventh hour is striking with the present situation in Europe and the East,” said Mr. Von Haast. “It is quite evident to the Americans that they are threatened by events. They are beginning to realize that to defend themselves in the Western Hemisphere, action must be taken in the Eqst.” One of the vital questions at issue was whether America, assuming she did not directly participate in the present war, would extend the Monroe Doctrine to New Zealand. This Dominion was geographically in the Western Hemisphere, though east ol the date line. “Also there is the important question of the diplomatic relationship between the United States and New Zealand,” he continued. “In that connexion I should say that there is the utmost need for the best representative in America that New Zealand can find. He should be a man of character, personality and high education, who can worthily represent this country. The appointment should be a matter without any reference to party politics.” Another question was whether America should be assisted in the establishment of naval and air bases in New Zealand, arrangements made for the common ’defence of adjoining islands of the Pacific, and co-operation between the two countries in the standardization and co-ordination of the armed forces —naval, military and air, as well as in equipment and machines. America had made the first step in this direction by sending aeroplanes to Britain. In discussing the possible methods of future eo-operation, Mr. von Haast said that one suggestion was a reconstituted League of Nations with America playing a leading part. But he thought that any union should be based on the real leagues in operation in the British Empire and the United States.- The eventual aim should be a federal union of both countries. He had always been a federalist at heart, he said, but he realized the many difficulties to be overcome in joining two great nations together with common ideals and interests. He believed it was the want of federation of the British Empire and the want of adequate preparations for defence that led the peoples of that Empire to the brink of disaster in 1914-18) It was for the same reason that civilization was on the edge of the precipice today. Difficulties of Federation.

To Illustrate the difficulties of federation, he gave a brief account of the events that led up to the federations of the United States. Canada. Australia and South Africa, and showed what long preparation and study had to be made and what obstacles had to be I overcome in each federation. He also I made reference to the length of time required to achieve federation, even of contiguous and closely associated Slates. • To bring about a closer alliance uith the United States, the people of the British Empire had to acquire a natural sympathy for the Americans. The New* Zealanders must learn to understand the people of the United States —to learn to know the real American, with his love of liberty and his determination to alleviate the lot of the poor. “We want, to show America that it is because of our love of England that ive are attached to the'Homeland, and not-merely liecause we want the protection of the British Navy,” he said. “A big programme of work is ahead of us. Every man and woman in New Zealand should try to keep in touch with bls' or her American friends. We should try to get in touch with rhe religion of America and know more about the churches there and what they are doing. Let us send our literature to the United States. They will be interested in receiving Christmas numbers of our journals. It is things like that which keep the small ball rolling along. Also we can give every American who comes here a great welcome. “This co-operative movement cannot bo a runaway marriage of the United States and the British Empire, but j must be an organic growth based on ! a lasting understanding and sympathy j between two great peoples.” I