PROTECTING THE EMPIRE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18192, 13 September 1933, Page 7

PROTECTING THE EMPIRE

• BRITISH NAVY’S TASK VALUE TO DOMINIONS PEACE AND PROGRESS (Elec. Tel. Copyright —United Press Assn.) TORONTO, Sept. 12. Following a round-table gathering at the British Commonwealth Relations Conference yesterday, a communique outlining briefly the proceedings, but withholding the names of those taking part, was handed out. An Australian speaker declared that his nation’s safety existed in the strength of the British Navy. Because of its isolated position, Australia was lying amid dangers. The safety of the country depended upon Great Britain’s willingness to accept tho responsibility for her overseas Dominions until world peace was assured., That was of paramount importance to Australia. Meanwhile, tin; strength of the Empire was the. greatest essential to world peace, and Australian safety. New Zealand’s spokesman said that .his. country’s policy was that, of Great Britain. The British Navy was maintained for the defence of ali nations and units of the British Commonwealth. SEA POWER ESSENTIAL The United Kingdom’s spokesman said that sea power was essential to the life of the British Isles, because of their dependence upon a maintained flow of imports and exports. Britain’s foreign policy was now directed towards world peace by world co-operation. Unfriendly relations with the United States were unthinkable, and Britain to-day stood ready to co-operate in every way in efforts to solve world problems. Addressing the delegates at a conference banquet, Viscount Cecil declared that tlie Influence of the British Empire in world affairs should be for peace and progress. The unity of the Empire was vital, and nothing could more effectively achieve unity than a common goal of service for the greater whole, and the acceptance of the doctrine that even the British Empire had no right to exist unless it was for the benefit of humanity. Continuing, he said: “What we ought to aim at if we are to discharge our international duty is to encourage international co-operation, and maintain among the nations of the world a high standard of right and justice, and a rigid regard for the sanctity of treaties, and above all—because it lies at the root of all useful international action—we must aim at tho preservation of the peace of the world.” Ho declared that the more the Empire could act in common the greater would be the chance of success of any inter national policy which it adopted.