NO FOREIGN "COMMON FRONT"

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 136, 10 June 1937, Page 8

NO FOREIGN "COMMON FRONT"

Regret that Canada apparently cannot see her way to agree on certain objectives of Empire foreign policy, tb the extent of committing Herself to fight for them; is, we think, fairly general in New Zealand; Mr. Savage's emphasised dissent from Mr. Mackenzie King's reported idea of the limitations of Empire foreign policy is therefore opportune, and will find in fiew Zealand support irrespective of party. The, whole Conference discussion is, of course, still a matter of rumour rather than bf report, arid the actual objectives contained in the foreign pblicy proposals that lack Canada's support are1 hot known.- But one ■ cannot imagine that foreign policy objectives acceptable to Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa would be. of aiiy fetrefrie" of Bellicose nature. Tiibse three Dbriiinibris are, Jlierriselves Sufficiently cautious to limit the objectives to things that the Emjiire' cifl and ought to fight for; If that is so, then it seems to follow that Canada is non-committal hot because the objectives are not proper Empire objectives* but because Canlda, being geographically "under the Wirig bf this United Stated," does •net consider that her self-preSCrva-tibn liatngs on the prbposed Empire foreign policy.; and therefore will not subscribe to it. In M. Siegfried's phrase", Canada lags. Mr. Savage ,is justified in drawing attention to such a lag. But if New Zealand, by contrast, is nbt laggard in promise, she must n6t be laggard in preparation either.