The Sun WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1928 DANGERO US FREEDOM

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 379, 13 June 1928, Page 8

The Sun WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1928 DANGERO US FREEDOM

'f’IIEKE is a keen conflict of political opinion in Canada concern- * ing the exact meaning and scope of the new status of nationhood that lias been acquired by the self-governing Dominions since the world war. On one side the administrative politicians hold that the undefined and apparently indefinable independence of the Dominions justifies Canada in developing her nationhood and exercising her freedom in her own way and as an independent State. On the other side of party politics, however, the Opposition sees grave danger in the new situation and protests vigorously against the appointment of Canadian ambassadors to foreign States.

The continuous clash of opinion has been intensified by the Canadian Federal Government’s latest practice of Dominion independence—the establishment of an Embassy at Tokyo. Members of the Opposition at Ottawa made strong comment when the Government set up an ambassadorial house at Washington, but the criticism then, though plain and bitter, was less fraught with apprehension as to the danger of maintaining separate representation at foreign capitols and courts. % It was conceded, with certain reservations as to the possibility of Imperial confusion, that an exchange of diplomatic representatives between the United States and Canada was a natural, business-Jilie and com-mon-sense arrangement. The two countries were close neighbours with an enormous trade between them. Thus, it was argued that it was only right and proper that each should have means of direct communication and negotiation. Moreover, the British Government—always anxious to please the Dominions — gave full approval to the establishment of the Caxxadian Legation. It is interesting to note, however, that even the appointment of Canada’s first ambassadorial Minister to the United States created confusion in the minds of Canadian politicians. The Opposition wanted to know who gave final essential authority to Canada’s ambassador at Washington, and the Government, with true Imperial enthusiasm, explained that authority was given, of course, by his Majesty the King. When the Opposition pressed for an explanation as to whether the British Government or Canadian Ministers advised the King there was the usual assertion concerning the loyalty of Canada, plus the inevitable declaration that all the Dominions were free units of the British Commonwealth of Nations (an impressive title which is supposed to signifiy more freedom for the Dominions than is contained in the firm’s real name, the British Empire) and that all were deteinnined to play their part loyally as free, integral meixibers of a wonderful combination of separate units. With the establishment of the Canadian Embassy at Tokyo many Canadians now see, or believe that they see, more clearly the dangers in separate representation on the field of foreign affairs. It may be true, it may even be a glorious truth, that “every self-governing member of the Empire is now the master of its destiny,” but what would be the fate of a stubborn Dominion if it decided, in the event of war, to maintain its independent nationhood, to hold aloof and play the part of a neutral observer ? It is to be feared that the Power with whom the rest of the Empire was at war would not hesitate to attack the passive unit of the warring Empire and, if possible, seize it as a prize. All things considered, the policy of New Zealand is the best. It may be stodgy, but it is safe. This is, that if the Dominions aeeept the foreign policy of Great Britain, they will not be led far astray.