Close Family Relationships Research Articles

Xl THEN India and Pakistan, and then Ceylon, became full and V V independent members of the Commonwealth of Nations, the center of gravity of the Commonwealth shifted perceptibly towards Asia. It is true that the United Kingdom is deeply engaged Europe and must depend on influence rather than power Asia and the Pacific, that Canada and South Africa still think relatively little about those areas, and that Australia and New Zealand feel in the East rather than of the East. Yet none of them can overlook the importance of the sudden expansion of the Commonwealth from six countries, whose combined population numbered less than go million, nearly all of European stock, to eight countries (Ireland having withdrawn), whose combined population of about 500 million includes more than 400 million of non-European stock. It is easier, however, to be impressed by the importance of this development than exactly to assess its significance. The cohesion of the Commonwealth, as demonstrated peacetime cooperation and two World Wars, has resulted from historic ties of sentiment (felt most keenly by those of British descent) and awareness of common purposes. Informal, flexible means of consultation coupled with exchange of information have been sufficient to maintain a relatively close family relationship which could stand the strain of criticism and disagreements because there was so much common agreement on fundamentals. Evolving flexibly response to changing conditions, the Commonwealth has operated on the assumptions that it is composed of free nations whose diversity is mutually respected, that its members settle disagreements privately though they are unrestrained expressing their differences of opinion public, and that there is sufficient interest the well-being of each member of the Commonwealth to ensure common action for mutual support moments of extreme danger. Ireland did not accept these postulates but Ireland has now with-

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