The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, SEPT. 2 1927. THE PERSONAL TOUCH.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 September 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, SEPT. 2 1927. THE PERSONAL TOUCH.

The visit of the British Prime Minister to Canada, says an exchange, lias created a precedent which suggests interesting possibilities in the future. It marks, indeed, the opening of a. lieuera in our Imperial relationships. It is no new thing, of course, for British politicians of standing to visit the overseas Dominions. Empire tours by delegations from the British House of Commons—tours which embraced our own country—are matters of history, but Imperial sentiment has advanced very far since that day. We are now about to receive a visit from the British Minister for the Overseas Dominions (Mr L. C. Amery), a visit, itshould be noted, undertaken in Ins Ministerial capacity. Mr Baldwin’s visit to Canada was made as Prime Minister, not in his personal capacity. Wherever he spoke, his utterances were those of the head of the British Government, addressed to the Canadian people "Pii? persona] contact is j

worth whole volumes of official dispatches. There is nothing so valuable in forming a correct estimate of political actualities, or so essential to it; as the impressions gained by personal experience on the spot; and certainly nothing better calculated to promote a good understanding and harmonious relationships. A speech addressed by Mr Baldwin to New Zealanders in

London, and fully reported by cablegram, would be read with interest in this country, but the same speech addressed to a gathering in our own Town Hall would produce a vastly different effect. It is the difference botween the personal presence of the individual and the psychological sense of detachment created by the interposition of thousands of miles of space and cold print. The personal presence of the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York in this country created in our minds an entirely new conception of Royalty and its implications with the happiest- results. Our experience in that felicitous connection encourages the 1 relief that Imperial politics would benefit in the same wav by regular contact between members of the Imperial Government and the overseas peoples. In his recital of his Canadian experiences Mr Baldwin concluded with an admirable appreciation of this very point: “I am certain,” he said, “that I do not interpret the spirit of Canada amiss if I say that the message t-lio Canadian people gave me to bring Home is one of faith, hope, and affection—faith in our common traditions and methods of government, hope for the future economic and political welfare of tlie British Empire, and affection for the British people and for the Throne, to which we and Canada and all the members of the British Commonwealth of Nations owe allegiance.’’ It may he that some day, when progress in aviation, has conveniently shortened the time necessary to devote to such tours. New Zealand may have the pleasure of welcoming a British Prime Minister. Mr Amery’s visit may lie regarded as a prophetic sign. It is apparent that even under existing circumstances Dominion tours by British Cabinet Ministers are regarded as desirable, if not even necessary. The excellent results from Mr Baldwin’s Canadian tour very opportunely emphasise that. Mr Aniory’s stay in Now Zealand will ho limited, but if lie uses his opportunities to such excellent- effect as Mr Baldwin did in Canada, what little time' he can give us will lie very well spent.