ANGLO-SAXON RELATIONSHIP.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 969, 19 March 1924, Page 6

ANGLO-SAXON RELATIONSHIP.

IMPRESSIONS OF AIR C. 11. POOLE.

LUNCH CLUB ADDRESS.

Some excellent impressions of tho present relationships between the British Empire and the United States of America were given by Air O. H. Boole, for many years a member of the New Zealand Parliament, and one of th** most accomplished speakers, the Dominion has known, at to-day’s meeting of tho Lunch _ Club, over which the Mayor (Mr F. J. Nathan) presided. Air Poole, who wits resident in tho United States for nearly five years, after leaving New Zealand, part of which time was spertt there during the war period, had many opportunities to study the attitude of Americans on world affairs and particularly on British questions, and his remarks wero most interesting.

Mr Poole prefaced his . address with a brief reference to tho world-wide activities of tho Rolarian movement, ajnd commented that it was pleasing to see the Dominion so well to tho front in this respect. In his travels in the States —and they were very extensive, for he had addi-ees ed over 1000 meetings from Los Angeles to Nova Scotia, and 'from New Orleans to Hudson Bay—he had found that a general state of ignorance prevailed as to the location of the Dominion of New Zealand. Ho had, in ' fact, been told by a welleducated man that it was situated somewhere in Southern Illinois. Those most familiar with New Zealand were the members of the American Expeditionary Force and the members of die \Y bite Fleet, which visited the Dominion some years back. But, despite the general ignorance as to New Zealand’s whereabouts, wherever ho had been he had found high tributes paid to the quality of the New Zealand soldiers. ANGLO-SAXON AIOVEAIENT.

Referring to tho Anglo-Saxon movement, the speaker stated that there was one agency working against it—the Yellow Press of America. This organisation was very bitter in its references to the British Empire, so much so that the Dominion' of Canada had forbidden the -entry of certain of these Anglophobe papers into lhe country. It was indeed a pity that New Zealand’s impressions of America came through most of these papers which wero debarred from sale in Canada, but which came extensively to New Zealand from the western coast of America.

Of America's great population of 120 millions, practically 45 millions were of foreign birth, and the increasing emigration from Europe would serve to still further complicate international problems. Fifty-live millions of the people were of British birth or British extraction, and there was not a name in Palmerston North that could not be duplicated in any town in the States. Certain influences were striving to create a spirit of ill-feeling between the new arrivals in the States and those of tho British stock, but without much attendant success. It was found necessary to introduce the quota restrictions on immigrants in order to prevent undesirables, but ho was pleased to say that this was not directed in any way against Britain. On the contrary, it was directed against elements from the south of Europe. Recently in New York 1600 Britishers above and beyond the quota were on board a steamer which had just arrived. The question had arisen whether they should be compelled to return home or bo allowed to land, but they were eventually allowed on shore on parole. This showed an inclination to extend to Britishers a favour denied to other peoples. The foreign elements were to be found living together in different parts of tho cities. It might bo surprising to his auditors to learn that in New York there was the largest Russian city in the world, but all the same it was a fact. It was even larger than Warsaw. 'lhero were also more Jews in New York than in the whole of Palestine. DOAIINION PRODUCE ON SALE. New Zealand produce was now making its presence felt in America, and there were still great fields yet to bo explored. The United States was a land cf illimitable wealth, but its people were the most extravagnnt in the world. At the present time that country was enjoying a period of prosperity never before equalled in the history of the world. As an instance, he mentioned that, at the end of last year, in Pittsburg, tho factories were 12 million tons behind hand with their orders, 'lhe growth of the country was most remarkable and now the people were looking for new’ fields for their operations. In their relations with Britain the great mass of the people were on the most friendly terms. ENTANGLING ALLIANCES.

The Americans kept aloof from European and other foreign problems for certain good reasons. They bad been told at one stage of their existence by George Washington, who was of English birth, to beware of entangling alliances, and they followed this precept very closely. It had been the very tibre and fabric of that country. . Jn their philanthropic efforts tlie American people led the world, and at the present time they were keeping alive some 10 millions of people in the Far East. ATTITUDE TO LEAGUE. Referring to the American attitude towards the League of Nations, the speaker stated that the late President Wilson had made a mistake in the personnel of his advisers when he went to Europe. Instead of taking men well versed in foreign and public affairs, he took with him men without any official status. The result had been that when he returned to the States with his proposals they were met with indifference and antagonism. Their repudiation bad been very disappointing to Britishers. However, tbmlung Americans bad realised that their country could not remain aloof from foreign affairs, and now modified proposals were meeting with common acceptaii’ce. He felt sure that many ot the dilficulties confronting the Anglo-Saxon peoples could bo put aside if we were to fully study each other’s requirements. The whole problem could be summed up in the two words “Not Understood.” The speaker concluded after making reference to prohibition in America as it affected the British Empire, and the present investigations into some of the great problems of corruption existing there to-day. He resumed his seat amidst strong applause, afterwards answering two questions. On the motion of Air Priest, tlie president of the club, tlie usual hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker.