STRONG TIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21183, 2 November 1938, Page 6

STRONG TIES

America and British Empire Same Language: Same Ideals By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, November 1. The mutual interests whieh exist between New Zealand and the United States of America were acknowledged by both the Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones) and Lieutenant-Commander E. M. Thompson, of the United States destroyer, Maury, at a State luncheon given in honour of the American vessel’s visit to Auckland. “New Zealanders always appreciate visits by American ships and American citizens,” said Mi- Jones, in extending a welcome on behalf of the Government. “We believe that a frequent exchange of visits between the two English-speaking nations is all to the good. We know of the United States’ policy of ‘the good neighbour,’ and we have seen the fruits of that policy already in the co-operation be- ! tween British and American interests in the development of the North! Atlantic air service. I believe that the j same co-operation will be forthcoming in the Pacific air service shortly i to be resumed by Pan-American Air- ' ways.” The British and American peoples: together, Mr Jones added, could exer- ■ cise an enormous influence in the interests of peace. There had been evidence of that in the recent crisis which happily did not result in hostilities, and it was to be hoped that the existing spirit of co-operation would be further developed in the future. Lieutenant-Commander Thompson recalled that he had visited Dunedin and Wellington du r ing the cruise of the United States fleet to New Zealand in 1925. "The Minister of Defence has spoken about our good neighbour policy.” Lieutenant-Com-mander Thompson continued. “That is part of our American outlook between Canada and the United States, where there is a 3000 mile border without a single unit of armed defence. We regard Canada as part of ourselves, and the same sentiment .1 can assure you, js extended to Australia and New Zealand. We feel more closely allied to these parts of the British Empire than to anv other part of the world. Blood, after all, is thicker than water, and I do not believe the United States could ever stand idly by and see the British j Empire in difficulties. We have the • same language, but more important than that, we have the same Ideals.”