AUSTRALIA AND U.S.A.

Grey River Argus, 14 March 1940, Page 8

AUSTRALIA AND U.S.A.

MR CASEY’S SPEECH Commonwealth’s Freedom [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] WASHINGTON March 12. At a Press Club luncheon the Australian High Commissioner, Mr R. D. Casey answered confidentially questions relating to trade, shipping labour affairs, and mutual interests in the Pacific. Emphasising that Australia’s powers of self-government were unlimited, he observed that it was reasonable to suppose that, if Britain had not broken her teeth on the American colonies, she would not have acquired the wisdom and tolerance she had consistently shown in her dealings with Australia. “Our only link with Britain resides in our continued acceptance of the Crown,” he said. “Although we are not subjected to coercion or even suggestion from Britain, we willingly and voluntarily co-operate with the British Commonwealth of Nations, which is wholly different from, the conception of the old British Empire. Australia entered the war of her own accord, and is now dominated by’ the common cause with Britain.” He added that Australia never believed the centre of gravity was moving towards the Pacific. The centre of real gravity was Europe. “We see no reason to believe that the Pacific will be the cockpit of war in our time,” he added. The Senate has authorised funds for the U.S.A. Minister to Australia, for the remainder of the year, ending in June. The House approved the measure but technicalities require approval.