AMERICAN INFLUENCE IN AUSTRALIA

Southland Times, Issue 23817, 15 May 1939, Page 7

AMERICAN INFLUENCE IN AUSTRALIA

PARALLEL SYSTEMS OF DEMOCRACY (Received May 13, 6.30 p.m.) . NEW YORK, May 12. Mr L. R. McGregor, commercial representative for Australia in the United States, speaking at the official opening of the Australian pavilion at the World’s Fair, said: “Both Britain and America have contributed to the creation of Australian ideals and traditions. The American influence is probably less well known. The first colonial settlements in Australia were begun immediately after the American War of Independence. The revolt of the American colonies encouraged an early grant of automony to the young Australian colonies. When the Australian states formed a federation they modelled the Constitution of the Australian Commonwealth largely upon the American Constitution. Probably one of the closest parallels with American democracy in all the world is that of Australia.

“At the same time, Australia, as one of the loyal Dominions of his Majesty, delights in her partnership with the United Kingdom and the other Dominions in the British Commonwealth of Nations, and in the friendship of the people of the Commonwealth with the people of the United States. Accordingly it has given the Australian Government special pleasure cordially to accept the invitation to participate in this great American World’s Fair and to invite his Majesty’s Ambassador to open the Australian pavilion.”