THE PROBLEM OF EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2851, 16 August 1916, Page 6

THE PROBLEM OF EMPIRE

Sir, —Mr. Lionel Curtis, in his efforts to establish a democratic Empire, evidently overlooks the fact that in so doing he is up against the oldest law known to humanity: tho law of lace antagonism. When two races meet, history is clear upon three pos.sih/e solutions of the problem: First: The races must amalgamate. Second: -Tho stronger must reduco the weaker to slavery 'or at least political subjection. ' Third: Tho weaker race must cease to exist. In two of tho above propositions democracy plays no' part. Having regard for the first, would Mr. Curtis advocate the mingling of the Asiatic and Anglo-Saxon blood? If he does, then our race history answers with an emphatic "No." Wherever -the Britisher has gone his women kind have followed him, and he has never married to any extent with a coloured race. If the Empire was all white, then Mr. Curtis's idea would bo all right; but how does he propose dealing with the coloured section of the Empire? A section which' (having lavished life and treasure at tho altar of freedom) could justly claim a place neath tlie wings of their goddess. If full Imperial franchise does notcarry with it complete migratory rights then that franchise has no ■ meaning, and tho fust sitting of the Imperial Convention would result in the Empire losing. either ' its British head or its Asiatic tail: Democracy is great within certain limits, but it has its limits. —I am, etc., FRANK BELL. Shannon.