SAME DESIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 110, 5 November 1926, Page 7

SAME DESIRE

FREEDOM FROM BRAWLS OF EUROPE

AUSTRALIA AND AMERICA COMPARED

MR. BRUCE URGES SYMPATHY WITH OLD WORLD

(United Press Association. —Copyright.) LONDON, 4th November. ' Some banter by the chairman, Mr. F. E. Powell, about the respective sizes and virtues of America and Australia, gave Mr. Bruce, who was the sole guest and speaker at the American Chamber of Commerce luncheon at' the Hotel Cecil, an opening for the happiest and most outspoken speech of his present visit to London. Mr. Powell asserted that on examining a map of the world ho found that two thumbs were sufficient to cover Australia. I .Mr. Bruce retorted that even the chairman's thumbs, large as they were, would not be adequate to cover Australia, which was just as large as America, and perhaps larger. To illustrate the claim he told the story of the honeymoon couple taking up residence on a dairy farm so large that their chil? dren brought in the first consignment of milk from the remotest part. "Of course," continued Mr. Bruce, "we know you say that America is God's own country. Well, let me tell you that Australia is twice God's own country.'' Roars of laughter followed both sallies, after which Mr. Bruce went on to discuss points in common between the two countries, remarking that Australia' was facing problems which America had long overcome. Both were trying to create a now civilisation, overcoming old animosities and uplifting humanity to a higher plane of happiness and prosperity. Both desired to keep free from the Old World's entanglements. ■ Both were great Powers in the Pacific, to which the centre of activities had been. transferred from the Old AVorld. All these things created an outlook not dissimilar. IDEAL OF INDEPENDENCE. "The Australians," said Mr. Bruce, ' 'regard themselves as inheritors of all your forefathers fought for in the War of Independence. Probably, if Australia had been a nation in those days, we should have been enthusiastically on the side of the American Colonies. We feel that tiiero was something wrong in those days in the British Government's and the Crown's attitude of mind in not recognising the ideals and aspirations of a young people. But all these tilings have passed away, possibly; because of your forefathers' actions, and a new Empire has grown up enjoying the great heritage of freedom and autonomy, to which, in your time and generation, you contributed much." NOT UNDERSTOOD. After paying a tribute to America's part in the World War, Mr. Bruce went on to tell the Americans candidly that their country was hopelessly misunder< stood on the Continent, where the view was largely held that America came ia very late, and did not bear, her share of burden of the war, but became rich on the sufferings of Europe, and was now taking advantage of the world's greatest tragedy to improve her own position and hold Europe to ransom. All must strive to remove that misunderstanding, because the future of the world depended on the removal, and America's co-operation was necessary for the solution of the economic problems which were facing the world today. Furthermore, Europe did not understand the Monroe Doctrine and America's intense feeling .for it. A FLEA FOR SUFFERING EUROPE. The Australians had the same desire not to be implicated in the brawls which took place in Europe, and to be free to go on with their own peaceful development. America must at the same time strive to understand Europe bettor, and its tragic sufferings, the solution of which was beyond Europe's powers. "If we could remove the present atmosphere of doubt and suspicion the way would be paved for overcoming the hideous tragedies still confront-, ing Europe," he concluded. The large assemblage loudly cheered Mr. Bruce at the conclusion of his speech. The Australians present included Sir Joseph Cook, Messrs. Latham, Gepp, and Deane. The whole wine list wa« Australian.