BRITISH EMPIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1933, Page 5

BRITISH EMPIRE

NAVY’S SIC PART IN ESTABLISHMENT OF SAFETY. (United Press Association —By Electric ItutJigiapn —UopyngJn; TORONTO, Sept. 12. f Following -a rouna tame gathering of tne lmcisn Coinmonwealtn Relations' conrerence yesterday, a communique outlining mtelly the proceedings, but witnlioicting the names of tnose taking p.u-t, was handed out. 'j lie United Kingdom s spoKosman sain sea power was essential to the life of tiie Britisii Isles, because of their •dependence upon a maintained flow ui imports and exports. Britain's foreign policy was now directed towards world peace by world co-opera-taoii. Umrienclly relations with tlie United State’s were unthinkable, ancl Britain to-day stood ready to co-oper-ate in every way in efforts to solve world problems.

New Zealand's spokesman said his qountrys policy was that of Great Britain. The British Navy was maintained for the. defence of -all nations and units of the British Commonwealth,

An Australian speaker declared Iris nation’s safety existed in the strength of tiie British Navy, Because of its • isolated ; position Australia, was lying amid -dangers. The safety of the . country depended upon Groat Brinin's willingness to accept responsibilty for the overseas Dominons until world peace was assured. That was paramount of importance to Australia. Meanwhile the strength of the Empire was the greatest essential to world peace, and Australian safety. Addressing a banquet for the delegates of the British Commonwealth Relations Conference, Viscount Cecil declared the "influence of the British Empire in the world affairs should be for peace and progress. Unity of the Empire was vital, and nothing could more effectively achieve unity than a common goal of service for the gieatei whole, and acceptance of the doctrine that even the British Empire had no right to exist unless it was for the benefit of humanity.

He said: “What we ought to aim at, if we are to discharge our international' duty, is to encourage international co-operation and maintain among the nations 0 f the world a high standard .of right and justice, and of a rigid regard for the sanctity of treaties, and above all because it lies at the root of all useful international action. Wo must aim at the preservation of the peace of the world.” He declared that the more the Empire could act in common, the greater w o uld be the chance of success .in any international policy which it adopted.