ANTI-REVOLUTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1921, Page 3

ANTI-REVOLUTION.

A BRITISH MISSIONED

EMPIRE UNITY, TRADE, AND DEFENCE. WELLINGTON, May 14. Major Boose, travelling commissioner for the Royal Colonial Institute, arrived by the Napier express last night, after a visit to Auckland and several towns in the North Island. He is accompanied by Mrs Boose. Interviewed by a representative of the “Times,” Major Boose stated that his mission was one of propaganda for the institute. He visited New Zealand iau 1914. hut on the outbreak or war, at the commencement of his tour, he was recalled by the War Office for military duty. At the present time the institute was deeply concerned with the task of counteracting revolutionary 'doctrines. These were being met by the establishment of branches throughout the Empire. Major Boost l has just completed a successful tour of Australia, where branches were established in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Christchurch has the honour of having the first branch established outside the headquarters in London. The branch was formed there in 1914, at the instigation of the residents. The next branch was that established at Bristol, in 1915. LOYAL NEW ZEALAND.

“New Zealand,” said the visitor, “is to my mind the most loyal ajul patriotic country in the British Empire. The people of New Zealand, in their past history, have responded most to the ideal that the institute lias in the van of its doctrine, viz., the promotion of patriotism, the education of the people to the realisation of all that the British Empire means, and the great possibilities that its future holds out. It has done much to encourage and faclitate the trade and industry of the Empire, and has opened up many new avenues in the trade of its national resources. The loyalty of New Zealand has never once been questioned, hut the best evidence J have it in my present, tour was the determination of a meeting of farmers, in a wool shed in the Gisborne district, to establish lor themselves a branch of the institute. ACTIVITIES OF'INSTITUTE. All interesting retrospect of the uctivties of the institute was furnished by Major Boose. It was founded in 1866, chiefly with the object of counteracting the belief then prevailing that the colonies were an encumbrance, and that it was better for the Mother Country to act independent of them. During its years of existente it has undertaken Imperial work of every character, and lias now a membership of 17,000. Its chief ideals are the permanent unity of the Empire, keeping emigration within the Dominions, to encourage the dissemination of knowledge of the resources of the Empire, and the adoption of the unifying principle that it is the duty of every British youth horn under the flag to train for the defence of the Empire. Non-pnrt.v mid non-sec-tarian m organisation, the institute is one with Britain, heart and soul.

“IMPERIAL TRADE.” Committees of the institute have to thetn 'the 1 unction ot stimulating commercial and industrial development, with especial regard to the Imperial aspect. In this connection highly-specialised information is supplied in regard to overseas industries, with the view of making the Empire more' self-supporting, is emphasised. Since 1915 the Empire Land Settle ment Committee of tin* institute have been engaged in promoting the settlement of Britain’s lighting men on the land, both at Home and overseas, it achieved a great war service by securing, through Sir Rider Haggard’s mission, offers of grants of land for ex-ser-vice men of the United Kingdom. Major Moose has visited several ex-ser-vice Hri tinkers in the North Island, and has found them thoroughly satisfied with their lot, despite the prevailing trade depression. A NATIONAL DUTY. “Defence is the first principle of the life, liberty and well-being of every citizen. The principle for training for national service should be adopted throughout the Empre, so that it may he universally recognised that it is the duty of all adult British subjects to lie qualified to hear arms for the defence of their country and the Empire in time of need. In none of its activities has the institute done better than in bringing men and women from the overseas Dominions in touch with the folk in the Mother Country, for their mutual benefit. It is always- ready to welcome the sons and daughters of Greater Britain, so that they may enjoy all the benefits, social, economic and educational, of their common parentage.”