Weak Policy for the Empire

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 123, 10 June 1937, Page 5

Weak Policy for the Empire

-Press Assn.

result of canada's achon

iValue of Conference Is Questioned A LACK OF UNITY

*|By Tela&rapb-

-Copyriaht.t

(Beceived 10, 11.30 a.m.) . LONDON, June 9. Following informal • talks outfiide the Imperial Conference, the principal delegates hope that agreement will be possible tonight in connection with the framing of resolutions as the outcome of the foreign affairs discussions. The Australian Associated Press' political correspondent believes that it will be abundantly clear that the Canadian Prime sMinister's, Mr. W. L. Maekenzie King's, attitude will render resolutions virtually innocuous. Many of the delegates are not merely disappointed bnt hre disconsolate by Canada's attitnde, coming at the very moment when most of the delegates considered it imperative to present a measure ©f unity on foreign affairs sufficient to warn provocative foreign Powers what might be expected from the British Empire. The Canadian attitude is doubly nnfortunate because public utterances liere, if non-committal, at least Iraplied whole-hearted -devotion to Imperial ties, whereas the speeches beMnd blosed doors suggesfc a lack of interest. in most things which the Imperial link involves, eicepting allegi•nce and substantial Imperial prefer•uce advantages. The question now asked by other delegations is: "How does Canada expect to continne to enjoy the advantages of membership of the British Commonwealfch, if she is not prepared to -share the responsibilities?,, Sotne delegates think that Mr. M. J. Savage/ in his speech yesterday leight have dealt with Mr. Maekenzie King a Ijttle jnore gently, Nevertheless they wonder what can be the real value of Imperial Gonferences in the future. if major decisions are impos■iible on vital problems.