AID TO BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21204, 29 August 1940, Page 7

AID TO BRITAIN

CO-OPERATION OF AMERICA TRADE ROUTES IN PACIFIC NEW ZEALAND INTERESTED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, August 28 The widespread favourable reaction to the announcement of the Canadian-American military discussions and the pronouncement by the Republican Party nominee for the Presidency, Mr Wendell Willkie, endorsing aid to Britain, appear to mark the beginning of something more than just an extension of the use of British naval and air bases to the United States or the transfer of old United States destroyers to Britain. They may indicate a long-range American foreign policy, the heart of which is co-operation with Britain and the Empire in the direction of defeating Germany and stabilising world conditions.

A Gallup public opinion survey, incidentally, shows that 60 per cent, of those who expressed an opinion favoured the sale of destroyers to Britain. One out of every 11 persons approached did not express an opinion.

The Gallup statement adds: “The public consistently favoured all possible aid to Britain. The great majority of voters, explaining the reason for their attitude, declared simply, ‘England is fighting our battle.’ ” Settlement of Questions An important beginning apparently has been made to make possible two items of Anglo-American co-oper-ation—the destroyer problem, once solved, would settle the entire question of material aid to Britain, and a Canadian-American defensive alliance would settle the question of common action in the western hemisphere. Then, and very probably after the election, other units of this budding long-range American foreign policy, namely, an understanding with Australia and New Zealand for the protection of common trade routes in the Pacific, could be expected. It is no secret that British diplomats in Washington are forseeing these matters. Canada is now in the public mind, they say. Australia. New Zealand and the Pacific will appear increasingly pressing when the western hemisphere problem is settled.