THE LOYALTY OF CANADA

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1930, Page 6

THE LOYALTY OF CANADA

“NO IDEA OF SECESSION.”

RELATIONS WITH UNITED STATES.

Statements not Infrequently made in Australia- and New Zealand that Canada is in danger of seceding from the Empire and joining with the Ignited States were discounted by Major L. Andrews, a member of the Canadian timber delegation, which arrived from Sydney by the Mamma vesterdav.

“There is no more loyal and proBritish part of the Empire than Canada.” Major Andrews said. There was no danger that she would ever bicnk away from the Empire or from England, which had given her tlie chances for real growth and development. The belief that- Canada was pro American, and that she was more partial to the United States than to Brent Britain, was founded upon a. complete misunderstanding. Every year found Canada more closely drawn towards Great Britain and more closely allied to Imperial affairs. She keenly desired a greater share of inter-imperial trade, pieferring co-operative commerce to foreign trading. Naturally the .tariff walls erected by other Dominions were a source of concern to her, and she. desired to reach a better understanding on those questions with a view nor, only to cementing the “bonds of Empire,” but also to bringing about mutual profits. New Zealand butter was admitted to Canada with a’ duty 0 f jj. a lb . but Canadian timber was ■ subjected to a tariff of 20 per cent, on importation to the Dominion.

MINDED HER OWN BUSINESS

These questions, however, could be adjusted. The fact remained, that Canada was one of the most loyal units of the Empire. Her relations with America were always good. But Canada minded her o'vn business and when it came to a question affecting her internal affairs she insisted that the United States should mind her own business. There was'much intercourse between the two nations, but upon fundamental questions of Empire import Canada brooked no-fintoi-ference from her neighbour. On the other hand the United -SMtesSdid dot attempt to force itself upon Cjin-ada, so that relations remaiite'd excellent.

BREAK AWAY UNTHINKABLE. It was unthinkable that Canada would desert the Empire for an alliance with the States. .She-.i enlist'd m the first place that such an- alliance would do her no good commercially or politically. It also had to he remembered that 20 per cent, of Canada’s population consisted or French Canadians. They owned no particular allegiance to Great Britain, nor did they acknowledge Frame as their homeland Above all else they were Canadians and they would never agree to Canada being anything else but Canada, in name and in reality. To these French. Canadians the great territory north of the United 'States could' never change its allegiance.

Discussing tliep.,United States, Major And rews sahK tiiO fluff!nti’M, waff dipt' as. politically and commercially .corrupt fig’feports made- out. As. in every other great country thore were undesirable elements, but.-there existed a: great majority of deep-thinking and idealistic Americans and not those who figured in sensational reports of corruption;