EMPIRE RELATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 77, 28 September 1938, Page 15

EMPIRE RELATIONS

CANADIAN PARTY

VALUABLE MEETING

EXCHANGE OF VIEWS

Five members of the party of 15 comprising the Canadian delegation to the recent conference on British Commonwealth Relations, held in Sydney, were passengers by the Wanganella this morning, en route back to Canada. They were Mr. E. J. Tarr, K.C., of Winnipeg, who was the leader of the delegation, Professor K. Taylor, Professor of Economics at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Professor N. A. M. McKenzie, Professor of International Law at the University of Toronto, Professor G. E. Britnell, Professor of Political Science at the University of Saskatchewan, and Professor F. H. Soward, Professor of History at the University of British Columbia. Some of the other members of the Canadian delegation have already passed through New Zealand on their return home, some are still in the Dominion, while others have not yet left Australia. In an interview,' Mr. Tarr said that one of the most valuable features of the conference was the many diverse points of view which were expressed. The various delegations were chosen by the Institutes of International Affairs in their countries, and they represented many different viewpoints and schools of thought. All of these were given free expression and a very frank and illuminating interchange of views resulted. The delegations in no way represented governmental politics. The conference did not endeavour to record decisions, "but he felt sure that its report, which would be released within the next.month or two, would be a very valuable contribution to British Commonwealth . relations. The delegates were on common ground in desiring to cement the relationships between their various countries, but many differing views were expressed regarding the means which should be adopted to achieve this end. One school of thought held that it could best be realised by encouraging the various units of the Commonwealth to develop their own national individuality, while others were of the opinion that efforts should be made to bring about,closer organisational co-operation. Naturally the viewpoints of the various delegations varied according to individual circumstances, and it was in considering these that much valuable data was obtained. Generally, he felt that the conference had been most useful and that it had greatly assisted the representatives of the different Commonwealth countries to understand each others' problems and difficulties. TRADE RELATIONSHIPS. Professor Taylor confirmed this view of the conference. He felt that the contacts and discussions had both been most valuable to the delegates, and that it would be well worth while holding similar conferences at regular in- < tervals. . .. The question of the attitude of the various units of the British Commonwealth in the event of the Empire becoming involved in war was irrelevant to the purpose of the conference, but it was nevertheless discussed in relation to general co-operation measures. It was recognised that unanimous I agreement could not be expected upon many of the matters discussed, for the various countries must devise their policies according to their circumstances. For instance, Eire was not greatly interested in general considerations of Empire trade, the majority of her trade being solely with Britain. Again, it had to be made plain that, anxious as Canada was to.improve and consolidate her Empire trade relations, she could not be expected to jeopardise her extremely valuable trade connections with the United States. ~ Emphasis was not placed upon general agreement, but rather upon agreement between various units whose interests coincided.