Nelson Evening Mail FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1935 BRITAIN’S BEST INTERESTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 28 June 1935, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1935 BRITAIN’S BEST INTERESTS

IP’ it is a- fact that the Empire’s foreign policy is framed by the Government of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and is implemented by the British Government, it would be interesting to know what the Premiers of the Dominions think of the result of Mr Anthony Eden’s mission to Rome. Representing the British Government, Mr Eden was given the task of persuading Signor Mussolini to renew amicable relations with the Government of Abyssinia, and forego his plan of colonial expansion at that country’s expense. But yesterday s cablegrams indicate that Air Eden s mission was fruitless, for not only did tlie Italian Dictator reject Britain’s advice, but appears to have resented her interference. This does not imply that ■ Italy's African policy is to be commended, but that the British Government’s effort wiis misdirected, for there is no reason Why it should usurp the chief function ofithe League of Nations, which is to preserve peace. Moreover, the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia has already been referred by tlie latter j to the. League, and will be considered at i its next meeting, in a few week’s time. Furthermore, it may be that by intervening in the dispute the British Government has caused Signor Alussolini to adopt a definite attitude, which may make it hard.for the League to intervene, without causing a greater difficulty than that between Italy, and Abyssinia. Signor Mussolini having signified his determination. to embark on a strong policy in relation to colonial expansion, the cablegram which conveyed that information continued . thus : “It is understood that Air Eden did not expound British proposals, because they are not acceptable to Italy,” which means that Britain has not increased her prestige, however good her intentions may have been. Another conjecture is whether these incursions into European polities redounJ eventually to Britain’s standing. Though she is adjacent to. the European Continent, her best interests do not actually lie thqre, but in the expansive countries of her vast Empire, and in all parts of the world where she may develop her trade. Why, then, should her Government give so much of . its attention to Europe? Why should it not give tlie greater part of its attention to the British Empire, and treat Europe as of secondary importance, as she actually is in the scheme of the British Empire’s economy. This is well understood by Mr Lyons, Premier of Australia, who, after his trip to the countries of the Far East, returned to the Commonwealth with a strong desire to see the empty spaces of Australia populated. The plan which he proposed was that, as England is over-populated, she should formulate a comprehensive emigration scheme, for the purpose of relieving her congested areas, and peopling Australia’s 1 empty spaces. Australia’s part would he to provide the land necessary for the completion of this comprehensive plan; the British Government making itself responsible for transferring the prospective emigrants to their new homes, and settling them there. It would seem that the entire plan has been abandoned —at least for the present—as nothing has been heard of it lately, though Mr Lyons and other Premiers of the Dominions have been in England during the celebrations in connection with the King’s Silver Jubilee. But, what was a sound suggestion, when Mr Lyons made it, is o\on sounder to-day. since, as time goes on, England’s congestion tends to increase, and the expansion of Asiatic Powers in tlie Far East becomes more serious. Here surely is a problem worthy of Britain’s fullest, consideration. Tier major interests are involved in that problem. By interesting herself in the empty spaces of Australia and Canada slip, would not only lie giving material assistance to those Dominions, but sho would he, solving the greatest problem confronting her, a problem which, if not solved successfully, must eventually he tlie source of immeasurable trouble. Britain cannot hope to manage the affairs of Europe and develop her own Dominions simultaneously. If she is wedded to the policy of having a finger in every European pie, she might tend to neglect her Empire and the Dominions and the j claims they have to her attention. Not only are they united to her under the Crown, but the potential economic advantages which they offer.her are greater than those which arc offered her by Europe, whose nations are largely independent of her economically, since, copying her example, they hav® established

flourishing manufacturing industries of their own, and in a commercial sense have become her rivals.