THE ROUND TABLE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1935, Page 12 (Supplement)

THE ROUND TABLE

WORLD AND EMPIRE AFFAIRS.

THE DECEMBER NUMBER. Irish, Pacific and Empire affairs are among the subjects discussed in the December number of the R6und Table. The author Of “Ireland and the Commonwealth” describes the historical background of the Anglo-Irish dispute over the annuities and the treaty of 1921, and suggests a possible solution which would, he believes, eventually secure a united Ireland in harmony with Great Britain. This problem has, with the drift of time, been almost shelved by politicians and public in Great Britain, despite its vital importance to the whole Empire, but the article does a service in reminding us Of the inwardness of this critical question. At the same time the conclusion that Mr. De Valera is as firmly in the saddle as ever is advanced by a correspondent, who, in a gloomy account of economic misfortune recounts how the split in the opposition party originated and General O’Duffy’s resignation became inevitable. A grave and urgent problem for the nations of the British Commonwealth is expounded in the article “Power politics in the Pacific.” Once, both in Europe and the Far East, “power diplomacy” or the threat of war to secure diplomatic ends was an essential instrument of national policy. Now there is. an imminent danger of a return to this policy. In the Pacific the Japanese military party guessed that the Powers would not take forceful steps to arrest Japanese aggression in Manchuria. Now, by planning to destroy the Washington Treaty system of international concert in the Pacific they might rid themselves of any serious possibility of collective interference with their designs in eastern Asia. Whether the British Empire should endeavour to placate Japan with a new treaty or alliance, or establish with the United States a united front to restore the Washington system, or whether she should rely on the adoption of a ship building ratio are among the alternatives that the article reviews in discussing the Empire’s attitude to this question. In an unorthodox manner, yet stimulating thought and attention, “Empire Migration” is discussed, the subject of the article arising from the recent report Of the inter-departmental committee. The author calls attention to two very important factors which are often forgotten in the popular discussion of Empire migration—first, the falling birthrate and the consequent change in the age structure of the population of Great Britain, and second, the fact that it is now the towns and not the agricultural areas which are the prime force for the attraction of migrants. The contention that air power has revolutionised Canada’s problem of national defence is advanced by a Dominion writer in the article “Canada and Commonwealth Security,” and that her ' ability to undertake external responsi-

bilitles is also affected by the modern armaments. His conclusion lends support to the theme of the next article, entitled “The Third League of Nations.” The first two Leagues, in the author’s judgment, were the allies’ League of 1916-26, and the post-Locamo League of 1927-31. That the Dominions have today a much more realistic view Of their responsibilities toward the Collective system than they did under the first two Leagues is the view expressed in the article.

An account of the political situation in India at the time of the elections to the Assembly and before the publication of the Select Committee’s report is given, and a particularly interesting section discusses the possibility of the retirement of Mr. Gandhi. A “long-term” issue is recalled to notice by the article on the policy of Pius XI, which emphasises the personal character of papal policy in 'international affairs.

Other articles include a vivid penpicture of life in Soviet Russia, and correspondence concerning New Zealand, South African and Australian affairs. The revision of the tarff under the Ottawa' Agreement, the latest Budget, and the increased provision now being made in the Dominion for national and Imperial defence are matters dealt with concerning this country.