NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 15, 13 October 1942, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Irresponsible opinion on the question of an Allied “second, front” has seldom been couched in such mischievous terms as those employed'by the writer in the magazine, “Life,” whose views have (been cabled at some length from New York. Many citizens of the United States will not be deceived for a moment by the transparent attempt made in the article, to persuade them that they are being asked to fight “to hold the British Empire together.” But many others, more easily prey to glib influence, may be credulous, in spite of the fact that the United States has been attacked by, the aggressor nations in the present conflict, and is fighting to save herself as well as to preserve world democratic freedom—objects which are one and the same. Because the article may revive time-worn misgivings and out-dated prejudice in unthinking minds, it has done an Hl if not an evil—service at a time when mutual Anglo-American confidence, combined with unity of policy and purpose, is absolutely essential to the common cause. It calls, therefore, for an immediate answer—one which will emphasize the grave folly of any attempt to transfer stubborn theories of isolationism from the field of national policy—where they so signally failed to the much more complex and hazardous domain of military strategy. **• * *

With the experience gained last year in the provision of student labour on the farms, it should 'be possible to provide primary producers with sul>stantial aid at a' time when .farming operations are at. their peak. It has been explained that the failure of many men to obtain the help they needed last year was due to delay in making their requirements known and steps are to be taken, through the Primary Production Councils, to prevent any repetition of that state of affairs. The scheme is one that should have the cordial support of jxll concerned, and the suggestion that the younger lads should live with the farmer’s family is a good one. It would give their parents an assurance -that the young workers would be well looked after, and if it should be required would receive some motherly attention. On the other hand, it would give the lads a definite status and an added interest in the working of a modern farm. The idea is not that these young people should be regarded as employees, in the usual sense, but as helpers in a time of emergency, doing a worth-while job and being rewarded for their efforts. Mr. N. S. Woods, of the National Service Department, has stated that, properly run, the scheme would be a great advertisement for farming./ It should at least give many town and city lads a good idea of what life on a farm is like, and create friendships that, in time, will help to (banish for ever any town v. country feeling.

Extraterritorial rights, which the Allies are relinquishing in China, have been defined as "a term covering the immunities enjoyed by certain persons, property or places from the jurisdiction of the State in which they are situate.” They used to be accompanied by what were termed capitulations, but for the most part these were swept away during the last war. The action taken with respect to China will not, of course, abolish these rights so far as they relate to diplomatic or ambassadorial privileges. They cover usages that go back many centuries and are observed by most, countries. New Zealand grants them in certain instances. ’ The diplomatic representatives of overseas Governments enjoy certain immunities from our laws, and one authority .states that “they are also exempt from taxation and Customs duties on articles imported for their personal use.” By what is termed a convenient fiction the house and possessions of a diplomatic agent are .said to be part of the territory of the country by which he is accredited. In some countries consulates are held to be covered by extraterritorial rights, and any vessels owned by a Government, together with those on board, are also exempt from local jurisdiction while in the ports and waters of a friendly Stale. In China the system was very extensive. The subjects of certain States with extraterritorial rights could not ibe tried by a Chinese court, and some countries had the power to maintain armed forces in certain Chinese centres. These foreigners could also maintain their own postal services, but. this right was relinquished some years ago. Now, apparently, all extraterritorial rights with the accepted exceptions applying to foreign sovereigns and titular heads of States, the diplomatic services ar 1 public vessels are to be gjven up and China will be on exactly the same basis as her allies in this important respect.