A LIVING BOND

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 192, 7 April 1932, Page 4

A LIVING BOND

Arising from two very different sources, tliere havc within the past few days been several striking manifestations of the strength and vitality of the sentiment which knits the Biitish peoples. In the one ease, a conference called for the purpose of developing still further the reciprocal trade relationship between the various countries of the British Commonwealth is being welcomed everywhere, not only because it is hoped that commercial advantages may result, but also because the conference will offer an unexampled opportunity to broaden the basis of inter-Imperial co-operation and strengthen the bonds which bind tthe Qommonwea,lth, ibonds which, since the passa>,ge of the Statute of Westminster are founded wholly in a consciousness of common kinship, common traditions and common aims and jinterests and acknowledgement of a common loyalty. In the other case, a threat, or perhaps more correctly, a possible threat from the Irish Free State to the existing unity of the Common-

wealth has drawn from three of the great Dominions an official expression'of anxiety lest!hasty or ill-considered action jeopardise the recently confirmed fraternal foundations upon which it is hoped and intended to build an even greater and freer Commonwealth than that which we know and value under the name of Empire. The Government and people of this Dominion have sent a message of sisterly warning to the Free State Govern.ment through London. Perhaps even more effectively, the Aus■tralian Federal Government has expressed its sentiments in a dignified and sympathetic communication despatched direct to D'ublin. Canada, which as host, is busily engaged with the preliniinaries in connection with the forthcoming economic conference at Ottawa, has expressed her faith that, whatever Mr. de V1iler& and his Government may or may not do, they will not •sacrifice their country's membership as -a free and equal partner in the British Commonwealth. It is true that in each instance quoted there is a severely practical aim to be served, but the yvarm human spirit which pervades the official pronouncements of the various Dominion governments regarding both the conference and the Irish situation could only be inspired by an .equally wafm and living consciousness of the inter-Imperial connection as a vital element in the national life.