The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1913. THE GREATER PATRIOTISM.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1773, 11 June 1913, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1913. THE GREATER PATRIOTISM.

In his speech at the New Zealand Club's luncheon yesterday the Hon. James Allen had some interesting things to say on the question of Imperial Unity, "with special reference to the efforts which are now being made to work out a scheme of cooperation between the Mother Country and. the Overseas Dominions for the more complete defence of, the Empire. The main problem is to find a 'basis for combined action which, without impairing the powers of self-government of the Dominions, will enable the Empire to present a united front in case of foreign aggression. The ideal of effective Imperial union <5f free nations has never yet been fully realised in history; but that is no reason why the genius of the Anglo-Saxon race, taking note of the failures of other peoples, should not be able to establish a stable, federation of autonomous communities, each of which will be left free to develop an ideal of nationhood in accordance with its special needs and circumstances. If we understand him rightly it is something like this which Mr. Allen meant when he referred to the moro complete organisation of the countries which form the Empire. Of special interest was his announcement that New Zealand had been invited by the British Prime Minister to appoint a permanent representative on the Advisory Council. This would be an important advance in the way of Imperial co-operation, arid would give New Zealand a more direct influence in Empire policy than it lifts hitherto been in a position to exercise. Mr. Allen's assurance that this Dominion cannot, and will not, refuse to accept the invitation will meet with general approval, and the Government and Parliament will have to consider how to make the best use of this offer of fuller admission into the Councils of the Empire. In his references to organisation and consolidation Mr. Allen had in his mind mainly the question of defence, but he also foreshadowed something more than that when he spoke of the establishment of some enduring and thoroughly representative organisation that would be able to voice the opinion of each of the Dominions on matters affecting the vital interests of the Empire as a whole. Of course Mr. Allen had no definite scheme to place before his audience—the problem is one which will tax the ingenuity of the best minds of the British race, but it is well that the inspiring ideal of Imperial unity should be kept continually before the people here and elsewhere throughout the Empire. Mb, Allen's conception of Impcr-

ialism is something more than the development of a movement which will concern itself solely with the advancement of the material prosperity and military power of the Empire. It is true that both these things are essential, but unless they arc accompanicd by a high Ideal of citizenship tho Empire will , fall short of real and permanent greatness. "We mean," he said, "to make our citizens the best of all citizens." Jloman citizenship at its best was something to bo proud of, but British citizenship must be something better. In a book which he is about to publish Lord Milker writes:

, I can conceive no higher ideal which can animate tin? citizens of this country lit the present time than Hint of a great ami conscious national life, shared by us with oiii' kinsmen who have built up new communities in diitaut parts of tho earlh, enabling them and us to uphold our traditional principle of freedom, order, justice, and to discharge with ever-increasin;; 'efficiency our duty as guardians of tho more backward races who have come under our sWay.

Lord Milker sets up a very high standard, but in spite of all our failings and shortcomings it can fairly be claimed that the British Empire lias governed its subject peoples more justly and mercifully than any of the great conquering nations of the past. Even other nations have to admit this. Dr. Georq Wegener, a German, in an article in the Nineteenth Century, speaks in terms of the highest praise of British rule in India. He says the' English, like the Romans, have a special genius for governing. It is a gift peculiar to them. "Their commercial talent is not their greatest gift, and in this they have rivals, but their instinctive capacity for organisation and administration is unequalled." It is_ on this same capacity for organisation. that Mr. Allen relies for the successful working out of the problem of Imperial unity.' , One of the many agencies at work for the promotion of closer union is the Empire' Parliamentary Association which has for its object the establishment of permanent machinery to provide more ready exchange of information and to facilitate closer understanding and more frequent intercourse between those engaged in tho. Parliamentary government of the component parts of the Empire. Twenty members of the Association have been invited to visit Australia this year, and no doubt some of them will come on to New Zealand. Each of the Overseas Dominions is rightly determined to be mistress in its own house, and will naturally develop its own local patriotism. This is as it should be; but, as Mr. Balfour recently stated in commending the objects of the Association, care should be taken to prevent these local patriotisms from drowning the greater patriotism which should include them all. It is the business, he says, of those who have insight and sympathy to see behind these small and inevitable differences tho larger unities by which mankind, and especially the members of one Empire, ought to' be united. _ The present effort to arrive at a satisfactory basis of co-operation in Imperial defence, apart from (its immediate and intrinsic importance,_ cannot fail to exert a very strong influence in the direction of increasing our sense of national responsibility and promoting that greater and more inclusive patriotism on which Mr. Balfour lays stress; and.it will inevitably prepare the way for further consolidation, until, in due time, the Imperial idea finds its complete realisation in a stable and lasting federation of the various communities of which - the British Empire is composed. •