17 FEBRUARY 1933, Page 2

Argentina and the Empire Sir Arthur Samuel's recent suggestion that

the Argen- tine should "become a fully-fledged member of the British Empire" has evoked much indignation in the Buenos Ayres Press. But suppose Sir Arthur had said "associated" instead of " fully-fledged " ? Might it not be equally to the advantage of the Argentine and ourselves that she should share in some measure in -those reciprocal trade advantages which, since Ottawa, can only be extended in full to members of the Empire ? Is it not precisely to secure some such end as that that the Argen- tine mission has been visiting .England ? After all, her: traditional relations with Britain, socially and economic- ally, have resembled those of a Dominion. We have Put

more espial into the Country than into Canada. She needs our market, and we need hers. The friendly relations between the two countries are deeply rooted. Supposing Sir Arthur had suggested the election of the Argentine to "honorary membership "of the Empire, with full trading advantages, would La Prom have looked upon thn pro- posal more favourably-? There is much to be said in all seriousness for widening the scope of the Ottawa agreement, bringing in any countries that*Woilld associate

themselves with us on a low-tariff basis.