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WATCH ON UNITY OF EMPIRE

Basis Of Criticism Of Speech DANGER OF HARMFUL INTERPRETATION. GERMAN ALLEGATION OF DISRUPTIVE TENDENCIES (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 15, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, December 15. The Australian Associated Press says that criticism of the speech on Empire unity by the Secretary for the Dominions and Colonies (Mr Malcolm MacDonald) is based on the premise that any statement capable of the interpretation that Empire unity is threatened is undesirable while Britain’s Imperial strength is jealously regarded. Cheers were given in the House of Commons when Mr Macdonald replied to an interjection by saying: “I advise my critics to read the latter part of my speech in addition to the former. Those who heard the speech, far from regarding it as alarmist and indiscreet, declare that it was one of the finest surveys of Imperial politics that have been heard.

The Nazi newspaper Der Angriff, commenting on the speech by the Secretary for the Dominions and Colonies (Mr Malcolm MacDonald), says:

“It is clear admission of the tendency of the Empire to crack up. The Dominions’ scepticism is principally caused by their positions in the event of war. It is easy to find the reasons for the tendency to secession, and it is also easy to cope with it.” CAPITAL. INVESTMENT AS BEST TIE MR SAVAGE’S COMMENT ON SPEECH (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 14. The statement made in London by the Secretary for the Dominions (Mr Malcolm MacDonald) was commented upon by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) in an interview today. Referring to Mr MacDonald’s allusion to material factors that worked towards the continued association of the Dominions with Britain, Mr Savage said that the most substantial foundation he knew of would be the investment of British capital within the British Commonwealth of Nations. That was the only lasting foundation for the principles outlined by Mr MacDonald. “I do not know of any disintegrating forces within the British Commonwealth- but I was always led to believe that to be within the British Commonwealth of Nations was to enjoy the right of self-government, Mr Savage added, referring to the suggestion of Mr MacDonald about the force of< nationalism in some Domin--10“I think Britain will find that when it comes to the pinch there will be no one missing as far as the Dominions are concerned,” said Mr Savage.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19381216.2.54

Bibliographic details

Southland Times, Issue 23693, 16 December 1938, Page 5

Word Count
396

WATCH ON UNITY OF EMPIRE Southland Times, Issue 23693, 16 December 1938, Page 5

WATCH ON UNITY OF EMPIRE Southland Times, Issue 23693, 16 December 1938, Page 5