EQUAL RIGHTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24538, 22 March 1943, Page 4

EQUAL RIGHTS

DOMINIONS' AUTONOMY f STATUS AMONG NATIONS BELIEFS OF CANADIANS Rood. 8.20 p.rn ) NEW YORK, March -20 What the Ottawa correspondent the New York Times calls a clear statement that Canada is an autonomous member of the United Stations, just as she is an autonomous member of the British Comnon wealth, was made in idle House if Commons by the Prime Minister, Mr. W. F. Mackenzie King. Replying to a question on the subject of Canada's status in the Common weal ill, Mr. Mackenzie lving said that the Balfour Declaration at the Imperial Conference in 1920 emphasised references to the flexibility of the Commonwealth machinery. He added that the need existed now more than at any time in British history for adapting existing machinery to the changing circumstances of the world. " This country went to war as a result of the action of Parliament, taken on its own accord," said the Prime Minister. " We intend, in our relations with other parts of the Empire and other countries, to stand on that ground, on a status of our own, equal

to all self-governing Dominions and the United Kingdom." 1 More Important Topic 1 Mr. Mackenzie King pointed out tliat the more public discussion was diverted , to questions about the attitude ol I various countries at the peace table and in the post-war period, the less ' would the country be impressed with the fact that the war was not yet won. "It will be a much longer time before the war is won than most people at present admit," he said. " 1 do not think we in Canada have begun to appreciate the difficulties ahead this year. Winning the war is more important than anything else which possibly could be discussed at this time." Mr. Mackenzie King's statement arose from a reference by the Opposition benches to a press despatch from Washington stating that the inconsistency of Canadian policy vexed American politicians, who expressed the opinion that Canada on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday was part of the Empire, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday followed the American line, and on Sunday claimed to be a sovereign State. Basis For Co-operation The Ottawa correspondent of the New York Times says the incident has created discussions whether the time has not come to give the United Nations institutional form. While the Empire stood alone co-operation was complete and instantaneous, but since the entry of Russia and America the Dominions feel that the Big Four tend to decide important matters without consulting the others. For example, in Australia there has been evidence of uneasiness resulting from a suspicion oi exclusion. The feeling prevails in Canada that post-war relief for Europe has been discussed and planned without including Canada as a full partner, although relief will devolve in large measure on that country. In effect, Canadians demand the same rights with the United Nations which they enjoy in the Empire. They feel tbe'v are speaking for all other Dominions, who completely trust the Big Four, but believe some concrete form should now be given to the organisation of the United Nations. Canada does not suggest that the time has come for a United Nations conference, but feels that the presence of the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, will be useful in ironing out present difficulties and preparing a form for future international co-opera-tion on the basis of equal right which marks the operation of the British Commonwealth. HIGH POST SUGGESTED MR. LA GUARDIA'S FUTURE (Reed. 8.20 p.m.) NEW YORK. March 21 The British Foreign Minister, Mr. Anthony Eden, and the British Ambassador to the United States, Viscount Halifax, for 25 minutes yesterday conferred with the Mayor of New York, Mr. F. La Guardia. The United Press says they refused to comment on reports that Mr. La Guardia might be appointed civil administrator of the occupied Italian territory in Africa. When the trie posed for the news reels Mr. La Guardia turned to Mr. Eden and said: "1 guess we have to stick together this time." Mr. Eden replied-. "We have to work together now and afterwards. There is no other " The Secretary of -State, Mr. Cordell Hull, said in Washington yesterday that his conversations with Mr. Eden had been mutually _ helpiul and encouraging. The discussions had been along the lines of general policies and doctrines rather than concrete matters, to determine how nearly alike the Biifish and.American Governments were thinking 'in general principles applicable to the present and prospective international situation. INTERNED SAILORS EXCHANGE WITH ITALY (Herd. 7.!50 p.m.) LONDON, March -'0 A party of 787 Italians, most of them naval officers and men, and 75 Italian civilians, some of whom are merchant seamen, have been interned at Joclda, in Saudi Arabia, for over .18 months, says the British official wireless. The presence of these men has been an embarrassment to the Saudi Arabian authorities, and the British Government, with the co-operation of the Turkish Government, has agreed that they shall be repatriated in exchange for suitable equivalents. The exchange will take place at Mcrsin. in Turkey, but the operation cannot be considered concluded until the British party arrives at an Egyptian port ; ITY OF FLINT SUNK EARLIER SEIZURE RECALLED (Heed. 8.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON. March 21 The Navy Department states that the American merchant ship City of Flint was sunk in mid-Atlantic late in January. Seventeen of the crew of 65 were lost. The survivors spent three days in a lifeboat. They say the ship was torpedoed without warning. The City of Flint was seized by the German battleship Deutschland on October 9, 1939. She took refuge in Russia and Norway, where she was finally released and returned to America.