Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1923, Page 2

TitK British elections due :•> be hold next month are the most. important from an Empire point of view yei contested. Tho result of the clod ions carry with them Lite question of Empire preference. At this juncture it is difficult io forecast the result. Among the po-xihilities is the return of a [.alior government, but it is not exactly a probability. The Liberals tire reuniting. and from that cause will be a greater force, though not a determining force. Still the Liberals posses great debating powers, and the traditions the party created in times past with regard to free trade success, will be a notable factor in helping them at tho poll. Mr Baldwin, who lias decided on the flection a; a definite political step to retain power, is a mao of undoubted courage and determination. He would weigh the chances naturally, but. will recognise in advance that- his ow n party will to some, extent be divided. His battle cry is protection to safeguard Lite nation against un'>mp!,oynidnt. Sane Labor will vote with him. and he will have the great body e.f tDo CTiiottisls. The agricultural section will be with him also. The press of the Kingdom w ill la- very outspoken but no Toss di- \ ideal, but the text will be that Britain must think of herself and not- lunger remain the dumping ground of foteign nations. On the whole Mr Baldwin has tho brighter outlook, and bis return w ill be of considerable moment to New Zeci a ui 1.

At a meeting of tbe Geographical Section of the British Scientific Research Association, I)r. Vaughan Cornish doailt with the geographical disposition oi' the British Empire and the opportunities it affords for development, ifo pointed out that the Empire had an intermediate position among the commercial, national, religions and racial communities of the uorld such as was occupied by no other State. The ocean routes must always bo tbe link between the two great land areas of the world, ami in the piesent state of land communication provide the connection betven the numerous independent systems of Continental railways. The chief of these system? was based on the ports of Europe, of which the greatest communicate with the ocean, and therefore with other railway systems, by way of the English Channel. The island of Great Britain was intermediate between tbe principal termini of the European railways and the other railway systems. Its harbourage was unequalled by that of any ether country of Europe, and its supply of shipbuilding material and of coal was exceptionally good. Tims the physical character of the island accorded with its position on the commercial map, and the metropolitan British in their intermediate position had become the chief common carriers of international commerce. Unless tile British race increased we count not ensure the internal peace and external security of the Empire, or the continuance of its henefieient work of enlarging commerce and restricting the range of war. 'Therefore the birth-rate in Great Britain should he maintained above the deathrate at least until the British population In the Dominions exceeded that in tile Mother Country. The maintc” .uc? of the race would then rest chiefly with our people oversea, and with their great resources, it should bo possible for them to keep pace with the other growing nations.