BONDS OF EMPIRE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 51, 28 August 1925, Page 7

BONDS OF EMPIRE

TOLERANCE & SYMPATHY

A STRIKING SPEECH BY CANADIAN JOUBNALIST.,, A striking speech relative to the bonds -which bind the Empire together was delivered by Mr. J. H ; Woods, of the Calgary "Herald," at the State luncheon to the Empire • Press Union delegates yesterday. "It is in my heart," said Mr. Woods, -"to express gratitude to the Government and the people of "New Zealand for the manner in which they have received us since we have set foot upon their shores." He said he would like to add one or two names to those mentioned by Lord Burnham. One name ithat stood high in Canada was that of Sir Joseph Ward, (Applause.) His financial services to New Zealand, Canadians agreed, were valuable, and Sir Joseph was recognised, also, as one who had done much to build up the Empire. A CLOSE AFFINITY There was a close affinity, said Mr. Woods, between Canadians and New Zcalanders. The Canadian liked the New Zealander instinctively, and he hoped the liking was reciprocated. This friendship found its true cement on the battlefields of Flanders, where Canadians grew to admire the bravery and fortitude of the New Zealand soldiers. The delegates had made a short but exceedingly interesting trip through New Zealand, but a trip that was not long enough. They had seen a country the beauty of which exceeded their belief. They had met a people of kindly hospitality and exceeding courtesy, a people kindly, industrious, and good. They had tried to learu something about our laws. There were some of them they wished they had, and some they'were glad they did not have. (Laughter.) Ono feature of Now Zealand's legislation had struck him, and it was that it was directed more than usually to sharing tho benefits among the common people, and in so much as this was the object it did not matter what mistakes wci'o made—all made mistakes. New Zealand was an example to Canada in the single-hearted character of its public men to the great mass of the population. The delegates had also met a people who could teach them something about an undying loyalty to the Crown. It was indeed fortunate that Now Zealand's population was of so highly British a character. They were here not only to learn of New Zealand, 'but to seek to interpret in some measure their country to New Zealand, and it seemed to him that the delegates should speak frankly to the New Zealanders. . There was not much use in the present state of the world in discussing generalities, or in speaking platitudes, or in shutting their eyes to the dangers about them. That was the feeling in Canada. "I want you to know that we feel that," said Mr. Woods, "and to help us as we want to help you." (Applause.) There were forces in the world to-day rampant— tho forces that juggled with the destiny of nations were abroad, and it was for them to see thnt in tho storm that might break about them they stood together and survived. (Hear, hear.) CANADA'S PROBLEMS ! Canada was a sister Dominion' with problems such as New Zealand had. It was a country of nine millions of people, set side by side with a great and wealthy democracy of 100,000 millions; and it must be understood that the financial and, tho commercial, let alono tho political pressure, was very Lard on tho small people. If that was realised New Zealanders might give the Canadians some credit for the strength of character and the fortitude they had shown in 75 years in facing their own difficulties and in not giving way to tho temptations that had assailed them from time to time. (Applause.) Canada was a country of mixed races arid with a dual language, but they had the greatest praise and affection for their French Canadian brothers. The French were there when the others Went there, and there was no point in their history at which they had not stood loyally by the British Crown and fought for it. It had been said that the last shot fired on the St. Lawrence in defence of British liberty would be fired by a French Canadian; they had so spoken and they upheld it. "We all -have our problems," added Mr. Woods,' "and as I travel through this Empire it appears to me that the truest' foundation-stone of it is to acknowledge the fact that the self-deter-mination of each of its units must rest in its own hands. (Applause.) We havo many trails to take. Our roads rim in different directions. Some go round the hill to overcome the obstacles that lie in front, and others go in other directions to overcome other obstructions." Tolerance and active sympathy were things that weTe needed to keep us together, not passive sympathy. Ho could never have passive sympathy again. He had brought his heart hero and could not take it away. Some of. it must atay hero, and for all tho balanco of his lifo ho was pal't of New Zealand.

They must tradb together. They had often heard that trade followed the flag;, but, after all, the flag -was maintained by trade. His belief was that they must seek to do all tho business they could 1)0111 ways. They should give one another their sympathy and business as far as they could. Ho knew that Canada felt very deeply that it could do more business witli New Zealand,'and he believed they had put up a pavilion at the Dunedin Exhibition, in which from 40 to 60 Canadian firms wero taking part, but that was not as much as he "would like to see done, llowover, it was a start, and ho hoped Canada's relations would grow moro intimate with Now Zealand as tho yeurs went by. MUST KEEP IN TOUCH Mother England had sent them forth ; fhe had fostered and dono much to Itnep tho different parts of tho Empire lojjother. In that connection he desired io sny that Lord Burnham had dono as much as any English statesman in his knowledsp to bind the various parts of tho Empire together by his continuous work. But they must do something for themselves. They must keep themselves in touch with one another, and only by doing that would they be able to preservo the Empire in the position it had occupied for centuries. The British Empire was not an asset, it was a liability. They wero only its trustees. For centuries tho Empire had been giving to tho world truth and justice and ■honour and liberty, and it was their business to keep it logether, for there was no loss tlio world could suffer which could compare with any breach thai might occur in this .Empire of cure. Let the same meeßage be carried to the pthey Dominion*, Let them Lave * tol-

eranca of mind to one another's actions and thoughts. By doing that they would be doing their duty not only to Great Britain, but to the civilised world. (Applause.)