The Dominion SATURDAY, MAT 22, 1915. "ALL WE ARE AND ALL WE HAVE "

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2468, 22 May 1915, Page 4

The Dominion SATURDAY, MAT 22, 1915. "ALL WE ARE AND ALL WE HAVE "

The great Guildhall meeting may well be regarded as a declaration to the world—to friend and foe alike— of the irrevocable determination of the British Empire to stand together as an indivisible family of nations in war as well as in peace. Indeed the war has strengthened the bonds which bind the Overseas Dominions to the Mother Country, and has inaugurated a new era in the history of British Imperialism. The attempt of a resourceful enemy to overthrow the power and prestige of Britain and to shatter our Empire has drawn all the British communities together with a swiftness and sureness which have been a great surprise as well as a keen disappointment to the rulers and people of Germany. The moment war was declared every part of the Empire sprang to arms. The Overseas Dominions had not been consulted— there was no time for argument; but with tho .true instinct of kinship they entered into the struggle heart ancl soul, and as tho conflict has proceeded they have done all the Imperial Government lias asked them to do, and niore. The magnificent response of India and the self-gov-erning Dominions to tho Empire's call was the inspiring thought that ran through all tho speeches at the Guildhall meeting. It is a fine thing to know that the combined strength of the British nations is being exerted in a worthy cause—the cause of liberty and justice. AVo are not only lighting for our national honour and independence, but we are also fighting against the "machinations of a man who has violated all the rights of mankind." Mr. Massey's spirited message to the great meeting in London strikes the right key, and it certainly expresses the sentiments of the people of New Zealand. "Though New Zealand is but a small country, all we are and all we have is at the Empire's call." What more could bo said 1 When tho struggle began we placed all our resources at the disposal of the Imperial authorities, and now that the terrible realities of war are being brought right home to us by our steadily growing roll of honour, we are more determined than ever to fight on until victory has been achieved. The fiery ordeal through which we are passing must inevitably lead to a further step forward in the direction of unification. It is now generally reoognised that after the war the Overseas Dominions will have to be given a more direct and powerful influence in shaping the future 'of the. Empire. Though they had no voice in the making of war they will expect to have a voice in the making of peace. The "magnificent comradeship and co-operation" of the younger British nations to which Mr. AsQtJiTH has paid such a glowing tribute cannot be forgotten or ignored when the crisis is over. The formation of a National Ministry in Britain, which will represent the whole country and not merely a particular section of it, indicates the need of making 6ome provision for the official expression of the views of the Dominions in regard to the war. A cablegram which appears in another column states that this matter is being discussed in colonial circles at Home, and it is suggested that in the event of tho formation of a National War Council the Dominions should be given "a direct voice in the conduct of the war arid the subsequent peace negotiations." The proposed War Council would practically be an enlargement of the Imperial Defence Committee. The Ministers, of the Overseas Dominions already have the right to attend meetings* of this Committee when they happen to be in London, but permanent representatives in a National War Council would be a more effective and satisfactory arrangement, and would probably lead in the near future to other improvements in the defence organisation of the Empire. The British Government has already given a definite assurance that the Dominions will be consulted with regard to the peace settlement: btitthe exact nature and method of this consultation has not yet been disclosed. If the Dominions were given representation on the proposed War .Council they would have an authorised representative on the spot to express their views on all their interests which in connection with the war. This would Wlfttol* «■ rifoMfirji urivsrt.|,app, Such <m AUTiwe,omont may ha nnljr.

an emergency measure £or a, crisis, but it would crcatc a valuable precedent) which would have an important bearing on tlu future relations between tbe Imperial Government and the Governments of tbe Overseas States. After tbo war is over a great deal of attention is certain to be given to the problem of Imperial unity. Everything, points to the fact that the Dominions will have a much more potent inlhiencc in matters of Imperial policy than they have hitherto obtained. But this is not the time to divert public attention from the immediate task of defeating our enemies by the discussion of problems, however important, that can be postponed till a, more convenient season.