The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1927. KNOWING THE EMPIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1927. KNOWING THE EMPIRE

I It was a matter of very common comment not so very long ago, tlmt Great Britain knew very little in an intimate way of her overseas Dominions. They were remote and apart and had largely Ito find for themselves. But there has been a remarkable change of late years. The Imperial Conference was the first medium to bring the family t'artv closer together, and since then other visits, including the Koval tours, have helped greatly to break down {Tie bn friers, and bring the allied folk so !mueh closer together. The Great War was the clowning feature of the intimate alliance, which has been cemented since by naval visits and sporting tours, till now the heart of the Empire. and its far-flung regions are on very intimate terms, and all the family know each other very markedly. Just at present wo have Mr Anierv on his tour to the far distant Dominions to link up the work of the Colonial Office more intimately with the aims and aspirntions of the daughter States. More important still. Mr Baldwin, the Prime Minister of England, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and Prince George is in Canada doing honor to the greatest of the Dominions of the Empire. The special occasion for the visit is to attend the jubilee celebrations now in progress to commemorate the sixty years of the united political existence of Canada. The delegation which Great Britain has sent for the august occasion is representative of the Throne and the Empire, and line A ! Canada the greatest honor oni so notable an occasion. Mr Baldwin has gone from Parliament when important measures wore being considered, and at a time when at Geneva still more important matters affecting naval strength were under deliberation. Mr Baldwin s presence therefore expresses the very high regard in which Canada stands as part of the Empire. Onr Prime Minister, so typical in person of that character of John Bull, which stands for Great Britain as a whole, will ho sure to make his impression on the Canadians. The Prince of Wales lias done so previously, so that there is

a very happy association indeed in the tw o very distinguished representatives who stand for the Crown anil the Empire in the very notable celebration. The personal Pnn-li arising from such ' frits must he of the greatest value. The presence of the distinguished representatives at once indicates how important the occasion is in the eyes of Great Britain, and the compliment paid Canada will not he lost. But lately we had the Royal lour of the Duke and Duchess of York to these shores and to other parts of the King's Dominions on route. That visit like the journey to Canada just now. was in itself a courtesy visit, a recognition ot Uie importance and standing of the

nations .so recognised. Tn regard to Camilla there is mneh to appreciate in this public way. Canada has achieved much, and pride mav well he displayed in those achievements. Of the Inyall;. of Canada there was outstanding proof in the Great War. and it will he fittingly recognised during the present distinguished visit. But there is Canada’s destiny to consider. A great count ry. a vast country, in process of settlement and development it must play a very conspicuous part in the future of our Great Empire. Canada draws to her .shores many thousands of British folk annually, and the faster her developments the greater will he her drawing [lowers. It is well the British Prime .Minister should know something personally and intimately of this great Dominion, so potential in the national greatness for the future. On that account it can well he understood the tour will he of great value and will he of sterling worth in helping Canada in the great work she lias set herself in the ipiieker development of her resources and [lowers its pari of t.e Empire.