The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY. JANUARY 11. 1927. THE IMPERIAL SENTIMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY. JANUARY 11. 1927. THE IMPERIAL SENTIMENT.

Tiikkk is an interesting study in a North Island newspaper on the Prime Ministers at the Imperial Conference, and the effect of their personalities at that historic gathering. The paper goes on to say that it is impossible at this time and place to know with much degree of accuracy what was the influence at the imperial Conference of the individual Dominion delegates. It is evident, however, that .Mr Coates talked the plain common-sense traditional Imperialism of New Zealand, as it is that General Hortzng was so impressed hy the Conference that ho modified his attitude to the Umpire. We have to-day a warm tribute bv the “Times” to Mr Coates' part in the Conference. The “Times,” which is exceptionally well informed on such matters, says that the committee which drew up the historic report on Imperial relations owed lfiuch to Mr Coates. This is pleasant reading, and remembering also the general tone of Mr Coates’ speeches at Home, one may say that he has come through the Conference with credit. Mr Coates and Mr Bruce may have more in common than, say Mr Bruce and Mr Mackenzie King. Australasia, to use a condemned hut often ustfid word, has Imperial problems of its own. Mr Bruce has just been telling Canadians that they are not hearing their fair share of Imperial defence. Canadians however, looking at their long land frontier, with the United States, do not see the need for defence ns we island Dominions see it. It is no discredit to Air Coates to say that Air Brnoe is tile more forceful and hotter informed pronnnndcr of Imperial ideas. For one thing, the Australian has had much more experience of public life. Air Coates is in the Alnssey tradition; he is not an intellectual man. hut rather a man of a few simple ideas, which he expresses vigorously. Air Bruce has more knowledge and more interest in political speculation, and he is better fitted than ATr Coates to speak on the themes of his most interesting addresses in Toronto, which are reported to-day. Afanv of our readers will have thought that once or twice Air Bruce has flattered the United States rather highly, but if this is so it may he excused by the sincerity of his desire to improve Anglo-Ameri-can relations. For his passionate support of the Imperial ideal there should he nothing hut praise. Tt is good to have his emphatic assurance that “if the determinations of the Conference had been to impair in the slightest degree that, unity they would never have uad my consent.'' It is better still to read his comment on the impression that the Empire is on the brink of dissolution. In some people’s eyes the Empire is always dying. Even such an amazing manifestation of strength and unity as the war produced does not convince them to the contrary. Air Coates, like Air Bruce, will return not only with a message of unity, but with the conviction that, despite her troubles, Britain still has enormous reserves of wealth and character. There is need both in Australia and New Zealand for vigorous preaching of faith in the Motherland. But of late there has

been a notable awakening as to the virility of Great Britain, and a realisation of what the Homeland is doing. At present with a trade boom sotting in following the coal strike, there will bo further evidence of the robustness of the country, and the several parts of the Empire will find it more valuable, and necessary than ever to be attached in the fullest degree to Britain from every point of view. An Empire boom should result.