LOVAL TO BRITAIN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 8 February 1927, Page 5

LOVAL TO BRITAIN.

CANADA’S ATTITUDE DEFINED. “MEMBERS OF ONE GREAT FAMILY.” “Canada is every bit as loyal to the British Empire as New Zealand is. Let there be no question about that,” declared Mr B„ B. Halliday, of Toronto, who is at present visiting, Wellington, at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Canadians, said Mr Halliday, were very much interested in matters relating to New Zealand, which they looked upon as a part of one great family. He found that in Canada whenever mention was made of Australia or New Zealand intense interest was aroused. New Zealand, he added, made a very fine display of its products at the Canadian. Exhibition, held at Toronto last year, visitors being greatly impressed. Referring to political problems confronting Canada, Mr Halliday said that the maritime section ofThe community felt that they, occupied a very minor position in connection with political activities, as, according to the British North American Act, the province of Quebec was only allowed 68 members, but that, he said,, was very much less cause for complaint compared with the economic situation. A commission had been set up to go into that question,but it was a very difficult problem, and one that could only ibe settled by the most capable statesmen. The population of Canada had been at a standstill for some time past, he continued, the natural increase drifting across the border, to America, where employment was more readily obtainable than in Canada. That state of affairs was a very serious one, because Canada had spent hundreds of pounds on young men, who, as soon as their education had; been completed, left their native land. The few English sections in Quebec were being crowded out by the FrenchCanadian, who was a great propagator. Referring to the tariff question, Mr Halliday remarked that British Columbia, which was dependent upon fishing, shipping, and lumbering, and to a small extent mining, believed in a protective market, while Quebec,, which was somewhat differently situated, had not expressed an opinion on the question. . Briefly touching upon the question ol prohibition, the speaker said that, there was no such thing as prohibition in the United States, or in Canada for that matter, where' the question was a provincial one and not a Dominion mattei. There was a law, 'but that was all. Liquortwas procurable any time, but there was no doubt that its use had been curtailed considerably. “Now, in regard to the question of annexation,’’ he added. “We don’t want it, and I don’t think any reasonable man in the United (States does either. We are intensely loyal to Britain. Americans are in and out ,of our eountrv by the thousands every day, with the result that we have become practically Americanised, but when it comes to loyalty to the British Empire let there be no doubt on the matter. We are every, bit as loyal to Britain, and every bit as proud of.her institutions and accomplishments as you in New Zealand are.”