MAY BREAK UP

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20512, 31 May 1938, Page 9

MAY BREAK UP

THE BRITISH EMPIRE MR MALCOLM Mac DON ALD S VIEW THE DANGERS OF NATIONALISM * nited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON. May 30. Within the lifetime of persons now present the British Empire may break up and disappear.” said the Colonial Secretary and former Dominions Secretary, Mr Malcolm MacDonald. to-day. He was addressing the Empire on and went on: “We can spa forces working in the Dominions which make this possible. One great force is Nationalism. Beyond a certain point nationalism does not combine; it di'ides. “In some Dominions numbers of people are badly bitten by nationalism. Many citizens are so imbued with this spirit that they think national freedom is incomplete while their Dominion is within the Empire. “Nationalism is proper and natural and must be respected. There would be something wrong with the Empire if the spirit of nationalism did not exist in the free Dominions, but we must recognise that there are elements which might carry the Dominions from the Empire. Binding the Empire On the other hand, I do not believe that a break-up will happen. Strong forces, material and spiritual, are binding the Empire together. They include trade and security. With one possible exception, every Dominion depends for its safety on the British Navy and the safety of one's own skin is a very powerful uniting force. “To-day the Empire is an association of six free nations, one of which is a Great Power. In 50 or IUO years, with the industrialisation of Australia and other Dominions, and a growth of population, we may have an Empire in which three or four members are Great Powers.” THE BONDB OF EMPIRE VALUE OF ROYAL FAMILY LOYALTY TO THE CROWN United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, May 30 “The real reason why our Royal Family occupies a high and unique place in the hearts of the people is its well-remembered acts of kindness and lo\e,” said the Australian Minister of Commerce, Sir Earle Page, in submitting the toast “The Royal Family” at the combined Empire societies’ banquet. “We And as we travel,” added Sir Earle, “that the real bonds holding the British Empire together are the ties of common loyalty and affection to the Crown and the Royal Family. "The rigid ’egal constitutional links have grown thinner and thinner until it is doubtful whether they exist, but the sentimental flexible links of loyalty and affection grow stronger each day. "Foreigners might well ask the reason for this scattered Empire's spontaneous affection and loyalty. It is surely because the Royal Family, although worshipped in all parts of the world, do not permit themselves repose, and do not merely carry out ofllcial and formal duties, but ceaselessly demonstrate their real interest in the people’s every-day life and welfare.” Link Binding Ideals “The Crown is more than gold and Jewels; it is a link binding the ideals of the British Commonwealth 'of