The Colonial View.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15037, 4 August 1914, Page 8

The Colonial View.

The days of jingoism are so completely over, and the spirit of jingoism so completely dead, that no apologies or explanations need be made on behalf of tho hope of tho Dominions that if she cannot impose peaco upon Europe, Britain will go to war. Every sober colonial hopes that Britain may even now honourably keep out of tho European conflict, for a great war will have effects unpleasant to communities accustomed to prosperity, and ultimately dependent lor continued comfort upon peaco abroad. But it is obvious that ib is almost unanimously the feeling of oversea Britons that tho credit of tho Homeland and of tho Empire, not less than their security, can find no defence to-day excepting by tho sword. It is not too much to say that the dread of war and its injuries is amongst New Zealanders less than the dread of dishonour. Franca and Russia have trusted Britain so completely, and so confidently, that Britain cannot without dishonour shrink from playing her great role as arbitress of the world and enemy ot injustice amongst tho nations. Parcero subject-is et debellaro supcrbos —a Britain which abandons that motto will no moro he an inspiration to the great Empire whoso seeds sho sowed when that motto governed her policy. To most colonials the question is not whether some rule of an intricate diplomatic game has been infringed by Germany, but whether Britain will strike a blow for tho faith her children and her friends have reposed in her. I.he Dominions cannot think of Britain, and do not wish to think of her, as 6ho has been thought of by one of our nativeborn poets, who dreamed ot a tuturo in which, while the Dominions had grown gieat and vigorous, Across th« waters Peering, chin in hand, A grey old crono mumbled the came that once Waa Britain! Spent with mighty pasts her soil, And sodden with a hundred histories; Her old frame enervated w.th th-o Of bearinp progenies of giant men. Who Etia:k!cd the careering- centime* To one tmail island's name! Tho end hzd re mc.

Upon her fallow field* hud-idled her brood Of tecirning pigmies- craven beneath their Too P wwk to wield the sword their fathers Too °rKf i' to risk tho shock of wax. Like 'tavce . , 7n nufitnn winds, about their uncertain ie*.„ Their sh*£v;llod greatness swept. To some faint hearts in the Empire, and to many sharp eyes in Central Europe, it has appeared that Britain has already reached that stage. But the "Littlo '■Eiiglandors'" aro not tho measure of English feeling, which is to-day, we all feel confident, what it has always been. That "senso of greatness" which " keeps a nation great" is still alive in tho heart of Britain, and a "false " dream" still is tho vision of Britons moaning that "Our creatnes3 is become a tale To tell our childrens babes -when *w« are eld." Whether it has been wise on Britain's part to contract friendships with Franco and Russia for her own preservation and for the strengthening ol the bases of European peaco, may be debatable; but it is quite certain that, with their eyes open to the consequences, the Dominions aro hoping that at any cost those friendships shall bo sustained.