CANADA AND THE EMPIRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 136, 10 June 1937, Page 6

CANADA AND THE EMPIRE

is in the fortunate position of being under the wing ot a powerful neighbour with whom she is on the btst of terms. Further, she has no other neighbour to consider and, consequently, there has grown up in Canada an isolationist complex. This isolationist complex has been strengthened by the French-Can adians, who hare no great love for the British Empire as such. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that Air. Mackenzie King is the stumbling block to a unified system of defence. Further, it is clear that Canada null only contemplate the Empire on a profit-and-loss basis. It is, indeed, a dangerous position for a young and undeveloped country to take up. It must not be thought, however, that Mr. Mackenzie King speaks for the whole of Canada, for there are in the Dominion many people who feel that there i§, and must be, a strong bond of union between the Empire as a whole and itself. Despite the elements which do not feel that this bond is either real or essential. that bond is there, and it revealed itself in all of its strength during the Great War. and it would do so again. Further, Canada should remember that her interests in the Pacific coastal fishing industry is likely to be attacked at no great distant future by the growing needs of Japan. It would be an unwise policy to seek allies only when one wants them, for then one brings only liabilities and no corresponding assets to the conference table. The combination of strength for defensive purposes anticipates and heads off trouble, and if Canada could rely upon the co-operation of the British Empire it might find itself in a more comfortable position should another American President say "45—40 or fight’’ over something not quiff so easy io concede, as it was on that historic occasion.