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Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1929, Page 4

When the .British Prime Minister, Mr MacDonald, was made through the' cable news,. in one of his speeches in the United States, -to avow his adherence to internationalism, we had the feeling that the report did not do him justice. From a speech just delivered at Montreal it would appear that his • internationalism is not very robust. He is reported to have'said that “different parts of the Empire must realise that they are one part or other of the Unity of that Empire.” It must be emphasised, he added, that co-operat.on is important, and he wanted to see it developed. There ’is not much tinge oh internationalism in that clarion call. Mr MacDonald desires do see the Empire closely united so that it could stand up to the world, aud participate as a united nation m the world’s goods—its business. Thereby it would have.an-industrial population, happy and contented. The general situation of world affairs is so complex that as Mr MacDonald admitted later in Ills speech here referred to, “no two nations could bring peace down upon the earth.” It is well to realise the limitations of fleaties and conferences on international issues. The world is very wide and international prejudices are difficult to. allay! 'Even in respect to the preliminary overtures between Great Britain and the United States, some of the Great Powers, notably France, Italy and Germany are very suspicious as to what, may be behind, these close talks between Mr MacDonald and Mr Hoover. Probably the former has realised the suspicion abroad and has been revising bis estimate of international intercourse ,and how circumspectly one must work if false impressions are not to be created, and dangerous prejudices engendered. This attitude’or general character of the foreign mind, strikes at the root of internationalism. There is the difficulty-—the extreme difficulty of winning the confidence of all nations at- one time, and without that confidence, the basis of internationalism is seriously undenn ned. However, 'harking back to Mr MacDonald’s plea for a. United Empire, there will be the* fullest approval of that desire. ..he Empire can afford to be united for it is from its solid unity it will gain its greatest strength. Even South Africa so largely foreign in its residential element, has realied that, and sees where it has most to ga : n. The modern Empire is intensely businesslike and practical. It seeks to hold its own in business* and trade and general Intercourse. It desires to be prosperous—the growth of population an,d production to be the contributing factors. It is a worthy ambition to provide homes and work for all, and a settled, contented people. All will be at 'one with Mr MacDonald in desiring to see the British machine working at high pressure in the national interests and for the national good. That is essential the ideal of national life.