THE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Waikato Independent, Volume XLV, Issue 6234, 4 May 1949, Page 4

THE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

THE EDITOR’S COMMENT.

“THE Hope For The Future?” That is the title of . a .paper written by Ross (M.'C. and Bar, M.A.) of Otago University and in the course of same he mentions that since 1931 the Commonwealth has survived a series of shocks and crises from which it has emerged, but very much alive. That is a very true statement. Did not another writer, a Frenchman, M. Romier, once stae: “The British Empire, so long as its communications remain assured and its money sound, can accommodate itself to any international equilibrium which the situation may require. When that Empire changes, we say that it is dyng; and it is never true. Like plants, to which it is in nature closely allied, the British Empire, like the English, contains within itself an unbounded power of adaptation an inexhaustible vitality.” . There has in ihe past, and particularly of late montns, been many predictions of an early disintegration of tne Empire and it is perfectly true that the Empire, as it was Known before World War ir, no longer exists. There have been predictions that the Conferences of Prime Ministers would be either futile or would bring greater troubles to the Commonwealth j but that has not been the experience, although there have been some rumblings. There has been fear of complete break-aways by India and Pakistan. Indeed, was it not Mr Liaquat Ali Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, who said: “If the Commonwealth is to make a contribution to world peace, its countries must come close together.” What has been the experience at the latest get together,” of Commonwealth Prime Ministers? If ally disintegration has taken place it lias led to a fuller realisation of the need for cooperation and consultation between the members. It is appreciated that the menace of Communism has done much to bring the members of the Commonwealth closer together and in that connection Communism has been, to some small extent, a blessing. Certainly the fact that Communism has come out into the open within the Commonwealth has emphasised the need for co-operation. It is significant that apart from Eire, there has been no definite break-awav. Those who predicted a greatly changed attitude in South Africa when Dr. Malan become Premier, have had to listen to him lately stating that while lie considers a Republican form of Government is best suited to the circumstances of South Africa, the country must remain a member of he Commonwealtll. A few days ago the Prime Minister of Pakistan, said:

•‘Pakistan is willing and ready to make a contribution towards the ideals of the Commonwealth, though not as a camp follower.” There is behind all these statements the desire of expression in the shape of self-government; but it does appear, too, that the Prime Ministers of the countries referred to feel they will be best off by remaining linked to the Commonwealth.

Another interesting fact of the Conferences is that they have proved that white and coloured representatives can get together, even though certain racial troubles remain. It does appear that the peoples of India and Pakistan prefer the democratic way of life and that they are impressed by the fairness of democracy. The value of the recent Conferences and its predecessor in the direction of consultation over trade, economics and foreign affairs generally, is undoubted.

New Zealand and Australia can be very satisfied with their contributions to the maintenance of he Commonwealth and it is pleasing to recall that not so long ago “The London Times” said: ‘‘The strength which the Commonwealth derives from its rock-like anchorage in the Pacific cannot be over-estimated.” .Let this assistance be maintained and increased. With tho very solid backing of Canada there is much more hope today for the future of the Commonwealth than might have appeared to be after the end of World War 11.