The Role of Canada
Nothing could be more amazing or more gratifying than the energy and ability with which Canada has assumed a leading position through her contributions to the war and tote part she has taken in world affairs. Speaking in London last Monday, Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, High Commissioner in Canada, pointed out that her part, measured in men, munitions, ships, aircraft and money, put her fourth among the United Nations. Canada has fewer than 12,000,000 people, yet, she has been able to embark simultaneously on a great air-training 'scheme, on large-scale aeroplane production, on a shiubuilding programme which for some time did much to neutralise losses from submarines, the manufacture of munitions of all kinds, and the training and equipment of a formidable army. She has loyally co-operated in deed and in spirit in the war, and looks forward without hesitation or controversy to further co- operation aft& the war. Mr. MacDonald spoke of the great part she will have to play in Commonwealth affairs in the period of reconstruction, and it is not a matter of small importance that she is geographically and psychologically qualified to help cement the friendship between Britain and the United States by her under- standing of both. It must be remembered that Canada is relative]) only at the beginning of her history as a nation. She has vast spaces and enormous undeveloped resources. Her population is likely to grow very swiftly in the next few decades, and the time may come when it will be greater than that of Britain. It is natural that in many respects her ways of life should be assimilated more to those of the United States than to those of this country. But there is nothing disturbing in that, especially in view of the fact that we ourselves and the Americans are seeking closer contacts. Just as we want closer association with the Dominions, so it is highly desirable that they and we should cultivate more intimate relations with the United States.
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