Canadian Interest In New Zealand

Northern Advocate, 7 December 1943, Page 2

Canadian Interest In New Zealand

(Special) AUCKLAND; Tills Day. “Tremendous interest is tak»*n by the Canadian people in New Zealand, stated Mr.’ A. R. Ford, leader of the Canadian Press delegation which arrived in Now Zealand oh Saturday. "The interest started during the lasv war, in which Canadians and New Zealanders fought side by side. They got along well together then and are doing so again. "Thousands of New Zealand airmen have been training in Canada and they have made a most favourable impression. Everybody likes the New Zealanders.” added Mr. Ford, who said there had be-u a great many New Zealanders stationed near his home city, London (Ontario). “For these reasons and the fact that wo are really a Pacific Power, the Canadians arc keenly interested in the war against Japan,” he continued. “It is ouiwar as well as yours.” The despatch oi Canadian troops to the Pacific war had already been advocated in the Canadian Parliament. Although. Canada was committed to the European war at present, it had lost troops at Hongkong, and had participated with the Americans in the expedition to the Aleutian Islands. Hard fighting had been expected in the Aleutians. but the Japanese got out. Uniting Bonds Mr. Ford expressed the view that before the war was over Canadians would be fighting side by side with the New Zealanders and Australians in the Pacific. He would like to see Canadian troops coming to New Zealand, even if at first it was only a small force, to demonstrate the Canadians’ recognition of the bonds uniting the sister Dominions. “After the war, the nations of the Pacific will have to get their feet under the same table and work out their problems,” Mr. Ford said. “We will have to study ways and means of raising the standard .of ‘living of the Asiatic peoples. There should be vast economic possibilities in the Pacific." Popular feeling in Canada was overwhelmingly in favour of remaining part of the British Commonwealth of Nations, ho said. This opinion was shared by the other delegates, who said the French Canadians were strongly in support of tlv> Commonwealth.