CANADIAN SENTIMENT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 254, 25 September 1929, Page 2

CANADIAN SENTIMENT

ATTITUDE TOWARDS BRITAIN.

IMPERIALIST’S VIEWS. By a staunch. Imperialist, Canadian national sentiment was strongly “ fended when Mr W. Paterson, of Wellington addressed the Citizens’ Lunch Club. Mi A. P Pl MifPaterson arrived in New Zealand from Canada three years a ß°> ~ stated that he takes every opportunity of connecting any erroneous mpies sions of the true Canadian reeling wards Great Britain. D „ +/irS nn Reference was made by Mr Eateison to statements published in an Aus lian paper, which cast reflections on the attitude of Canada towards Great Britain. Secession from Britain had b strongly hinted at in $ series or tides which could be condemned their baseless foundation. Obviouslj, such matter was supplied from a L - our origin and the British Lab papers were notoriously misinformed of Canadian affairs. They would be well advised to acquaint thfemselves with Canadian sentiment, but arguments were frequently manufactured to serve certain uses. Shell insidious tactics had, to a large extent, been the cause of Canadian sentiment towards Britain being questioned on occasions, but without cause or true reason. REGRETTABLE SUGGESTION. Since the speaker had arrived in New Zealand people had said that it would be’ only a question of time before v/anada -would throw in her lot with the United States. That was nonsense, although many students of economics in Canada had advised such a course for economic reasons. It was regrettable that such a suggestion should be be voiced, but the true spirit of Canada would' not permit of an action that in any way tended towards secession from Britain. Talk and scare of secession had been current since the introduction of the Reciprocity Pact in 1911, wlien it was proposed that Canada ana America should exchange their natural products free of duty. Political tricks had frightened many into the belief that tho pact would result in Canada throwing in her lot with America and thousands had cast their votes against reciprocity because they had thought it to be connected with annexation. Reciprocity had become a dead issue; the Liberals had gone out and the Conservatives had come into power. Canada had no thought of annexation and the word was distasteful to all Canadians. Both the Canadians and the Americans were good friends and, ultimately, it would be Canada’s destiny to play a big part in joining Britain and America in a spirt of absolute amity. Canada knew that, in the main, America was friendly with Britain. When the United States had joined Britain in the Great War there had been rejoicing, because in the union there had been, as was seen to-day, a real safeguard for the peace of the world. It was the wish of everyone that those flags would never be flaunted at one another. ATTITUDE OF FRENCH. The attitude of the French in'Canada was exemplified in a monument commemorating the battle of Quebec, which was in that city. It had been erected to the general who had won and also to the general who had lost—-a splendid tribute of the equality which existed in Canada to-day. England could ever claim the loyalty of the French-Canadians and it had been said that the link to Britain was essential to the survival of those Frenchmen. Britain was interested in no small manner in the Canadian constitution and it could be depended upon that the British Parliament would make no alteration to the Northern America Act, unless at the wish of the whole of the Canadian Governments. That fact stood undisputed. In 1927, Canada had celebrated the 60th anniversary of its federation and the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York and the British Prime Minister (Mr S. Baldwin) had been present at the celebrations. NEW PICTURE OF BRITAIN. It was then that Mr Baldwin had given the world a new picture of Britain—unbowed, unconquered, and still clirpbing—the Britain with which men were proud and glad to be associated. “Wherever I hear gloomy predictions of a disintegrating * Empire, my blood runs cold,” proceeded Mr Paterson. The Britain of to-day was a model to the world and was just waking to her own potentialities. What would Canada have to gain by seceding from such an Empire? During the War Canada had earned the right to its link with the Empire, and the Canadians knew that, as joint sharers of Britain’s wonderful traditions of the past, the glory of the British Empire, and of the Empire’s future Britain and Canada were inseparably linked. As a Canadian, the speaker could expect the people of a sister Dominion to recognise the difference between a Canadian and an American. The Canadian was British .through and through and proud of it, but not eo the American, who also was proud of being different. SENTIMENT. Sometimes the Americans would say that the bond between Briton and Canadian was founded on sentiment only. But sentiment was love, and in that case it was a sentiment which ennobled and uplifted its people—a sentiment much cherished by every Canadian. Not long ago the King had been fighting for his life and there had been prayers all over the world for his recovery. _ Now that he was well there was rejoicing throughout the world. Monarchy had undergone severe trials throughout the years and in some cases had failed. Not so in Britain—the revered country of the world—and Canada’s soul was reflected when she sang “God Save the King.” (Applause.) Mr J. H. Stevens, in personally thanking Mr Paterson, considered him to be one of the finest speakers he had heard and hoped that he would again come to Palmerston North. Mr J. L. C. Merton stated that, after hearing Mr Paterson’s address, he felt ashamed to notice that the

nion Jack was pushed away in a corner.

Mr Hopwood also personally thanked Mr Paterson and the flag was then placed in a position of prominence. On the motion of Mr G. H. Stiles, Mr Paterson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation. Mr Paterson stated that he would be pleased to accede to the wishes of the members and again address them, possibly on New Zealand as seen through other eyes. He also mentioned that the Reciprocity Pact had been arranged by his grandfather • and, since Canadian loyalty had been questioned bv an acquaintance shortly after his arrival in New Zealand, he had always endeavoured to explain the correct position of the relations between Canada and Britain.