BRITAIN AND U.S.A.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 126, 30 May 1941, Page 6

BRITAIN AND U.S.A.

A CLOSER ALLIANCE

NEW ZEALAND'S PART

POOLING OF IDEAS

"The security of democracies is at stake, and it is only by the pooling- of ideas and co-operation on matters of defence that the menace of Hitler can be crushed," said Mr. H. F. yon Haast, when speaking at yesterday's luncheon of the Wellington Justices of the Peace Association. It was evident, he added, that there would be a world calamity if co-operation between Great Britain and the United States ceased, and it was necessary for New Zealanders to play their part in fostering more friendly relationships with America, so that after the war there might be a closer understanding between the two peoples.

After reviewing the American outlook as exemplificsd by the Monroe Doctrine. Mr. yon Haast said that 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 of the date line. "Also there is the important question of the diplomatic relationship between the United Sta-.es and New Zealand," lie continued. "In that connection 1 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." NAVAL BASES. 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 standardisation 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 co-operation. Mr. yon 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. HANDS ACROSS THE SEA. To bring about a closer alliance with 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 we are attached to the Homeland and not merely because 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, his or her American friends. We should try to get in touch with the 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 jbe 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 he a runaway marriage of the United States and the British Empire, but must be an organic growth based on a lasting understanding and sympathy between two great peoples."