The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 1927. HANDS ACROSS THE SEA.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 1927. HANDS ACROSS THE SEA.

TnKH!■: is suggestion of hands across the sea ill the message hy cable, that in ('- milection with the Canadian celebrations now in progress that on the Buffalo Peace Bridge, which unites Buffalo U.S.A. with Port Eric, Canada, and sytnholises t(K) years of [>eacc ■lwtwon the two nations, a historic meeting will take place on August 7th. Oil that date the Prince of Wales and Prince George, along with Mr Stanley Baldwin, will drive from Niagara Falls to the bridge, where they will meet General Dawes, Vice-President of the United States, and Mr F. B. Kellog, Secretary of State. The absence of the President is <lue to a fixture in another part of the United States demanding his attention at the time. General Dawes referred to is best known as head of the committee of exports appointed to investigate Germany’s ability to pay reparations, and " ho.se report later was adopted by all th' l nations eoncerned as the basis for carrying out of the reparations undertakings, and was known as the Dawes Plan. General Dawes -was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1917 General Dawes went to France as a mijjor, and joined tile staff of General Pershing. After the war ho was entrusted with the reform of Governm’>nt departments, where he had to wield the economy axe to cut down many emergency sections of administration. It will lie a memorable meeting. Some point may he given to tin' forgathering from a statement made in Canada last week hy the Premier of Queensland, Mr IV. McCormack, who is visiting Winnipeg. He stated that Australians are quite concerned about the relations -between Canada and the I nited States. It was feared in Australia that the ever-increasing friendliness and the interlocking ties of business and sentiment between the

two countries might lead to Canada finding it, to her. material advantage to farm a (iimmercial union with the United States. This might be followed I>v a nolitiea! union. In that case Canada would indeed be lost to the British Empire. These tears ol secession, however, do not appear well grounded. At this time it is of interest to note that a Labor leader ol high status i.s so much concerned about the matter as affecting tlio integrity of lhe British Umpire. That very senti-

ment so expressed Iron) such a source

gives -ome assurance that fears are not well founded. Canada and l nited

States are very closely associated of course. But it Would not appear that Canada lias much to gain from a national alliance with tie- United Stales. As part of the British Empire. Canada ranks as tie- greatest of the Dominions. As par!, of the United Stales, t amidian identity won d disappear, and eventually he lost. 'What community of interest there may he between the two countries would, not be in-reused—it would in fact be lost in that C7it.uarha would -be swallowed tip and gradually lose its distinctive national nluc-e. It is not a. new sugg. -lion of course lli-et Canada lias leanings towards the United States. Sir Wilfred 1 .mirier had same aspirations in that direction, and it is said his political maun was lost through the desire to create a commercial treaty with tlie United States, a treaty which proposed to pave the way for an ultimate political union. Canada has cliieved independence, and that is

dear to national life and character. There have been evidences also of the strongest ties of loyalty to Great Britain and the Empire, and those are not likely to he severed. The fact that our greatest Ambassador is so popular a figure in Canada and on the present, t >ur is aeconmanied by the Prime A 1 blister. is something to indicate the special interst Great Britain takes in Canadian concerns. There can he no charge of neglect or indifference. Rather is it the other way, and that factor must discount any serious trend towards secession. The visit now proceeding will make this more and more manifest, and we believe will assist, in showing to tlio world at large that in point of fact Canada is being drawn more and more to the Empire rather than being inclined to drift from its bonds. When we recall what was the resnonse of Canada to the Umpire’s nail in that Great War surely the greatest assurance of all as to the abiding loyalty of Canada comes to mind.