Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1939. THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING PARALLEL.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1939, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1939. THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING PARALLEL.

AS might have been expected, the visit of the King and Queen to the United States is demonstrating joyously and conclusively, to those who did not know it already, that the people of the greatest of the American republics and those ot the British have much in common. Their Majesties are personally popular, as they well deserve to be, with the American multitude, and are welcomed also as the representatives o. another great democracy. The deepest note, of all that is sounded, however, in the reception of the British King and Queen in the United States is that of parallel purpose.

The essentials qf the total situation were summed up by the “Evening Star,” of Washington, in its observation that “there is no room for doubt that Britain and America are inspired by a parallel purpose.” In spite ot the unguaided border between Canada and the United States, which is perhaps lhe most impressive proof yet given of human progress, the British Empire and the United States are entirely separate entities, each pursuing its own course, and with no thought of leaning on the other, but possibilities ixrc more than beginning to appear of measures of co-operation that are open to independent nations, to their mutual benefit and that of humanity.

Too much might easily be made of the factor of common origin. Even in the days when they were parts of one political entity, and certainly in the conflict in which they broke apart and for many a year afterwards, they were far enough from being united in any such understanding as exists today. Since that period of conflict, the United States has gone its own way and has drawn on many races in building up its population. Yet the English-speaking nations now find themselves pursuing parallel courses and animated by broadly identical aims. The differences that divided them have withered away to inconsiderable proportions.

There are still some Americans in whose eyes Britain is a home of reaction and injustice, just as there are British people who see in the United States only the land of the Almighty Dollar and of grasping hard bargainers. These discordant elements are no longer important, however. As the reception given to the King and Queen bears witness, the mass sentiment of both nations finds expression in increasing sympathy and understanding.

As to the manner in which that sentiment is to influence the course of world events, no one can yet speak very confidently. In the past history of mankind, alliances of a close and binding character have often been based on a much less complete identity of ultimate aims and interests than that of the British Empire and the United States, but alliances that might entail military action are in the highest degree repugnant to a large proportion of the people of the United States. No doubt, however, the “Washington Post” is justified in affirming that the American people are realising more and more clearly that whether they act or whether they fail to act, their power of itself is serving as a prime determinant of history, and that:—

With the realisation comes a growing determination to have the United States play a truly constructive role in this difficult era to exert positive leadership and fulfil the responsibilities which are the inescapable concomitants of power.

Should the worst happen, and the European, democracies find themselves engaged presently in a death-grapple with forces intent, on their destruction, it is reasonably certain that the American people will perceive their own fate to be at stake and will shape their policy accordingly. The better hope, however, is that the influence and power of the United States, added to those ol the European nations that stand for peace, may yet avail to rid the world of the menace of aggression by which it is now overshadowed.

NOTHING LIKE GOOD ENOUGH.

a. response to the Prime Minister’s recent appeal, the enrolment of some six thousand men in t he National Militaiy Reserve obviously falls Ear short ol' what is necessary. On the facts oE the case and with the possibility raised that New Zealand may have to look to its own defence, this response cannot be called creditable. No doubt there are scores oE thousands ol men who would Hock to enrol if an. invasion of the Dominion were definitely in prospect, but this does not excuse present apathy and inaction. There is everything to be said for the Prime Minister’s view that preparation for defence should be made “when we are cool and when we have peace; we do not want, to start doing the running around when the drums begin to beat.”

The present occasion is one lor the exercise of a certain amount of imagination. It is an occasion on. wJiicli able-bodied men should think of what they would wish to do if an enemy attacked the Dominion and of the wisdom oE preparing in good time to cope with that attack if it should come. The call now made is specifically lor home defence. Should war break out, the question of overseas service no doubt would arise and would have to be dealt with. It has been suggested, lor instance, that, in that event Australia and New Zealand would.be called upon to garrison the Singapore Base, as a matter bearing vitally on their own security. For the time being, however, all such questions are in abeyance. The call now made is only and solely for the enrolment of men prepared Io serve in defence of the Dominion on its own territory, and the response thus far is hopelessly short of requirements.

Enrolments on an adequate scale must be. secured in one way or another. As Mr Savage has said in his renewed appeal:—

A lot of people thought there should be compulsory service the only reply to that was voluntary service. Nobody who did any thinking could say there was no need for defence ... The best reply to the advocates of compulsion and the .greatest guarantee of security was to enrol now.

Failing that reply, it seems rather likely that the advocacy of compulsory defence service may become irresistible. r I he proposed scheme of defence preparation has been outlined broadly, hid it might stimulate‘enroiment if men were invited to volunteer specifically for service in the Territorials or in whatever other sections of the defence organisation it is open to them to play a useful part. The whole situation in any case must be resolved speedily. There can be no question ol accepting an enrolment of six thousand men as adequate in the circumstances that exist at present.