CANADA AND AMERICA

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1926, Page 8

CANADA AND AMERICA

The appointment of a Canadian Minister to Washington, which was suspended pending discussions at the Imperial Con--ference, has now. been ratified. It may be assumed, therefore, that the proposal has met with the approval of the representatives of the Empire as a whole. They have recognised that there are so many problems affecting Canada and America only that some means of direct diplomatic representation is . desirable, while the British Ambassador at Washington has stated that he will welcome the assistance of a Canadian Minister there. ■ In these circumstances there is nothing to suggest that the appointment of a direct representative is due to any desire on the part of Canada to separate herself from the Commonwealth of Nations which constitute the British Empire. It is an Imperial acknowledgment of Canada’s capacity to deal with the problems that solely concern her and her powerful neighbour. There are many questions, both of Government and trade, awaiting settlement between the Dominion and the Republic which closer diplomatic relations will help to solve. Matters of comparatively small moment, in government and commerce, which prompt discussion will quickly settle have a habit of becoming magnified by any delay. Liquor smuggling, Arctic land claims, -and immigration 1 are outstanding questions which call for immediate discussion between the two nations, and there are many others. The Prime Minister (Mr. MacKenzie King) has stated that upon Canada to a large extent falls the great task of interpreting Britain to America and America to Britain. The new appointment should assist the Dominion to discharge this important duty, not only with benefit to herself but to the Empire as a whole.