The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1937. MR SAVAGE AND DEFENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 22671, 10 June 1937, Page 10

The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1937. MR SAVAGE AND DEFENCE.

Foreign’ affairs and l defence were expected to be the chief matters for consideration at the Imperial Conference, now drawing towards its close. It is plain there have been some famy anxious discussions of foreign affairs, but Imperial defence or co-operation in time of trouble has not figured largely in reports. It is interesting, however, to find Mr Savage taking sharp issue with Mr Mackenzie King over the Canadian Prime Minister’s lukewarm attitude towards this particular responsibility. Contrasting with New Zealand’s expressed readiness at any time to defend the Empire to the utmost, Mr Mackenzie King is said) to have disclaimed any responsibility in the matter at aU on the part of his country. The United States, in its own interests, would never allow Canada to bo invaded and the rest of the Empire should be willing to look after itself without Canada’s support. The actual words of tho Prime Minister may not have put the viewpoint quite so plainly as that, but reliance on tho Monroe doctrine has constantly been credited with inducing a certain apathy in the oldest dominion’s attitude to Imperial defence. None of the dominions on a per capita basis does much for it, in normal times, compared with tho heavy burden which is borne by the British taxpayer, but Canada and South Africa show worst in the list. Canadian loyalty is not lacking in fervency, but it is least expressed in this most practical form. Mr Savage’s rebuke to his fellowPrime Minister is said to have produced a deep impression on the Conference, by which difficulty has been found in framing resolutions to express a common unity in view of the opinions pronounced. The Suez Canal and “ upsets ” in Europe may seem faroff matters to some Canadians, but the continuance of the Empire may yet depend upon all its parts feeling the same concern for one another’s safety as they do for their own. It is obvious, also, that neither a small State nor a mighty Commonwealth can hope to exist indefinitely upon the basis of a majority of its members seeking to put in fourpence and to take out ninepence. Mr Savage spoke well as the representative of New Zealand, but it seems doubtful if tho word “ readiness ” was the right one for him to use in regard to this country’s responsibilities in the last resort. “ Willingness ” might have been nearer to tho mark. The Prime Minister acknow-. ledges a duty, oven embraces it so far as words are concerned, but his plans to prepare this country to take its due part in Imperial defence, should that ever unfortunately ho required of it, have been much less clearly defined. Apparently the Government’s chief idea about defence has been that there should be some sort of an air force to protect New Zealand’s shores if they should be attacked. It seems quite content. to see the Territorials diminish on a basis of “ as you please,” and a section of its followers find few things so odious to them as a smattering of military, drill, without further militarism, taught in secondary schools. The Government has two other ideas. It believes in the League of Nations, which is only a name, however, for its chief purpose, except for the extent to which, in the last emergency, it can depend on its member States to supply it with force. It has hopes also of a wireless peace propaganda service, which would speak, in a still small voice, for anyone who tuned in to hear, on the brotherhood of man when the services of dictatorgoverned countries were screeching about the beauty of guns. Propaganda by means of wireless has been chiefly used for making trouble among the nations until now. It seems much to hope that New Zealand’s voice would have much influence in all the circumstances.