AUSTRALIA’S OUTSPOKENNESS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1924, Page 4

AUSTRALIA’S OUTSPOKENNESS.

A CANADIAN OPINION. VANCOUVER, October 19. Like a veritable bolt from the blue came the news to Canada of Australia’s demand to be heard in England regarding settlement of Egyptian affairs and the intervention of Premier Bruce, of Australia, in the Egyptian question struck Canadians as a novel step in Empire procedure, and it immediately proved deeply interesting to the whole of the Dominion.

The Montreal “ Daily Star,” “ Canada’s Greatest Newspaper,” devoted considerable space to a discussion of the situation, and, iir the course ol a striking article, captioned 11 Australia Demands a Hearing,” said: “Premier Bruce, it will be noted, did not wait to be invited to intervene, lie intervened off his own bat. When be knew that the Egyptian Premier was on bis way to London to iterview the British Premier, Bruce cabled to Ramsay M acDonald that Australia wanted to

be consulted before any settlement was reached with regard to Egypt. This was much more significant, than if the British Government had asked the Australian Government ,to express an opinion. The Australians spoke first. They asserted a right—tfic right to he consulted when Empire policies are under discussion. They are not merely possible ‘guests ’ to he invited when the ‘host’ happens to think of it. They are members of the family council, without invitation, when they see their special interests involved.

“The interest, of Australia in the Empire's policy toward Egypt is quite obvious. Egypt is the guardian of the Suez. It is most unlikely that we would ever have undertaken the burden of guiding the development of Egypt if it had not been for the Suez. We bothered about none of the other North African States. But a hostile Power settled in Egypt could cut the Suez; and the Suez is one of the main arteries of the Empire. AUSTRALIA’S POSITION.

“ Next to India, no other part of the Empire is so concerned in keeping this artery open and flowing as is Australia. Should the Suez lie cut or clinked, Australia would automatically lie removed weeks farther from the centre of the Empire. Great Britain would ho that much longer in sending assistance to her ;:i ease oi trouble. British trade with Australia depends lo no little extent upon the short-cut through the Suez. Consequently any weakening of British policy toward Egypt which might conceivably lessen our power to defend the Suez would lie a matter of supreme moment to Australia.

"It should also he mentioned—in no controversial spirit that Australia has paid her admission fee (o this family council, and so has a real right to inteivclie. She is contributing to this very defence of the Empire which she demands shall not he weakened by any Labourite flirtation with impossible aspirations arising among the oligarchy that would fain rule—and exploit— Egypt. In similar case, Canada would not have quite so sure a right to intervene. “Canada must find herself, in any such case, in the illogical position of claiming the right to be beard regarding measures taken .by Great Britain for the defence of the Empire when Canada herself declines to share the burden of that defence.

“ But —logic or no logic--Canada is in the Empire, and cannot escape the liabilities of that connexion. Conceivably Empire policy might put Canada in a position where we should stand to lose a great deal -possibly all. Hence

it is only common prudence on our part tn assert, as Australia lias, I lie right to be heard in the consideration of Empire policies which especially alI'ccl us. We did. indeed, assert that i-iir||i —with maladroit bumptiousness--.

in the •,i c el )!"• Ilalilml Tliat;.. STATKS.MKX ONLY 111 .MAN. *• We ought to remember, however, that the statesmen of Great Dritain are only human. They make mistakes —as all men do. They have not, in several recent cases, dealt with Canada with that sagacity and far-sighted ness that admirers of Dritish diplomacy might have expected. Pcrhans it was not the diplomats wlm directed i.oiidon’s Canadian policies. Dilt while we are dwelling on tln ir •humaneness,’ we must remember that they are citizens of Great Dritain before they are citizens even ol t lie Empire, and that they naturally are a fleeted by Canada’s refusal to help hear hardens ol Empire when they come to consider ally Canadian <|Uestion. They would not he human it thev did not, resent our standing coldly aside and leaving all wsks and expenses and labours to them. So we need not lie surprised if we get a less patient hearing than Australia does. " Yet it is vitally important that we should he heard. Pacific Ocean <|Uestions are coining more and more to iho front : and we are tremendously interested.

" Ear instance, Great Dritain might take a line that would bring us violently into conflict with the United States. Would we like that We ought to keep alt eye open and our ears open—and our purses open. We are in the Kinpiro, for the better or for worse; and. like Australia, we ought not to lie backward in seeing that we ge‘ the most, out of it. " Hut . a pump must often he prime'! to get water out ol it.”