OUR STATUS IN THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17155, 26 May 1921, Page 7

OUR STATUS IN THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH.

*0 THB JHUTOH 0* "THE I'EWS." Sir, —You aro to be congratulated upou the publication of Mr Hall's articles upon the above subject. Hut» these articles should be .followed up by a general discussion, else they will be like seed sown by tfhe wayside. ,Tho trouble with, us in New Zealand is that we are so intent upon digging in our "own backyard that we have no inclination to lilt up our eyes and look north, south, east, .or .west. v This insularity is. our besetting sin. It always will be such, hence the absoluto necessity of our being wakened up to it from time to time. How is it to be donoP First, by the Press of the Dominion 'persistently usintf tho oppression British Commonwealth instead of. British Empire. As matter of fact, tho British Empire iB a thing of tho pafct; though most people here do not seem to retuise it. Secondly, by discussing the fact that we me now part of a great Commonwealth of , Nations, and tho implications of that fact. Canada <ind South Afrjca are duing this. Tbey are out for the fullest possible autonomy consistent with unity among the nations of the Commonwealth. Why should we not join tiiem? If we do not, wo shall certainly lo dragged at their chariot wheels.—Yours, eto,. v JAS. JOHNSTON.