THE NEW DOMINION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 34, 4 November 1907, Page 3

THE NEW DOMINION.

« ■ — A LONG-RANGE VIEW. _Tltt change jn the official designation of New Zealand from "colony"i to "Dominion" attracted a good deal of notice in Great Britain. The most interesting newspaper comment on the change is that of the '■'Scotsman," which, in an issue to hand by this week's mail, gives this country a lengthy leading article. The "Scotsman" begins with questions:— "What's in a name? Is the designation of a 'Dominion' more honourable than that of a 'Colony?' And has New Zealand the prospect of occupying a larger place in tho world's eye under the new descriptive title which has been bestowed on it by Royal Letters Patent than under that which it lias been content to wear for nearly seventy years. Tho questions of tho taste, tho timeousness, and tho significance of adopting the label of 'the Dominion of New Zealand' might admit of more than one answer. It might be objected, for instance, that there is already a Dominion under the British Crown—that of Canada—and that the duplication or multiplication of the name may lead, if not to protest from the original, possessor, to ambiguity or prolixity in Imperial nomenclature, since, wo can no longer speak with accuracy of 'the' Dominion. Again, the title bestowed upon tho federated Canadian provinces was applied, like that of the 'Commonwealth' given to the United Australian group of Colonies, to . mark a change of status, a fresh historical phase, a vast aggrandisement of territorial extent and political importance. A new name was granted in recognition of a now thing. But Now Zealand alters her style while herself rcihaining unaltered in area or constitution. It is enough that her citizens desire, that their laud should shed tho older and homelier title, and be spoken of under the more sonorous phrase now proclaimed by decree, of the King. ' It is not difficult to trace in this something much more noteworthy than mere whim—the moving of a now spirit in the Outer Empiro which asks for fuller perception and acknowledgment of tho self-governing communities who live under our flag. The Colonial Conference of former years has blossomed into an Imperial Conference; the change gives more accurate and more dignified expression to the purposes and constituents of a gathering in council of tiie representatives, of the British family of nations. A 'Colony,' it appears to bo felt, is a name that belongs to an earlier and. immature stage in the development of the United States of the Empire; and us one of the most vigorous, ambitious, and precious cf them all, Now Zealand desires to adjust betimes its stylo to its destinies." Oiir contemporary's concluding sentences are also worth, quoting :—"The story of the settlement, and political and industrial development of the country is full of .surprises; and it is a story that, so far from coming to an end, is still in its early and most exciting passages. It is true that we may safely reckon that, the Maori wars are at an end"; and that tho further stages in the progress of New Zealand will be those' of peaceful evolution. But, as it has been the fortuno of the colony to supply lessons, and sometimes warnings, to the rest of the Empire and of the world', in tho art of colonising, in finance, in social, land, and industrial legis-* lation, and in ether things, we may feel assured tiiat the Dominion will continue tho process. . Tim ago of surprises will 110$ come, to an end with the change in style. New Zealand has still i>. long way to grow before she comes to full stature. Though the country has an area that does not fall much behind that of the BritishJsland, and though it is richly endowed by nature, it is occupied by considerably short of a million people." As even their mistakes proclaim, they are a people full of energy and ambition, of resources and ideas. Even if they stumble,.it will only be to rise again and go fOl ward on their appointed path with increased confidence and security. They have shown that they arc able, as they are. resolved, to guide their own affairs. But they Have also proved, by acts as well as words, that they believe in the virtue of the Imperial connection as well as of the .principles of self-government, and that their loyalty to the Crown and the Mother Country is as staunch as their faith in their own future. The New Dominion of the South Seas will go far and rise high."