The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1926 THE IMPERIAL OUTLOOK.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1926 THE IMPERIAL OUTLOOK.

Tire cable news last week conveyed an outline of the typically gloomy outlook with which Dean Inge regards the future of the British Empire. These reviews have been the custom of English literary men. from time to time, and it would almost appear that they are published to attract notoriety. There is so much evidence in the national life to the contrary that it is difficult to I believe otherwise. The Great War was the real testing time of tlie nation, and the history of that period left little doubt as to the general answer to be given to the pessimists. The United Kingdom itself—the Motherland as we delight to call the Homeland—was the personification of all the virtues which go to make up the highest grade of national life. No sacrifice was too great for the country to make nationally. No heroic effort was demanded of the individual which he or she did not make. The nation had the highest aspirations and a fixed determination to achieve them. And the whelps? They responded to the unspoken call in a group which could not he denied. There was a welding together of the Empire, he the color of the race what you will. There was one Imperial whole which showed to all the world that in the hour of danger or despair, the British Empire was a real entity standing four square to every onslaught. Whan speaking at Auckland on Monday, Lord Salisbury, the head of the British Parliamentary Party touring the Dominions, remarked on the note struck hy Sir Heaton Rhodes

when addressing the visiting delegates on behalf of the Government and the Dominion at large. Sir Heaton very truly remarked that the slogan of New Zealand was “Loyalty to King and Constitution/’ Taking up that text Lord Salisbury commented on the note struck by Sir Heaton which was typical of their common tradition, common

loyally and common determination to si and together against the world. As

part of the Great Empire, the place where Now Zealand stands is undoubted. When the Prime Minister (who sailed yesterday on his Imperial mission) spoke recently on the business of tTie Imperial Conference, lie left no doubt as to bis general attitude on the Empire questions of the day, and the whole Parliament .received his statement of the case without a word of demur. Imperial subjects no doubt are complex. There are racial and commercial matters and problems difficult to solve, but there is a way of settling them without misunderstanding. The .Motherland has been always patient and considerate in regard to oversea problems. There never has been tbe suggestion of enforcing any irksome local conditions, while there lias been always the readiness to help and defend where occasion demanded. The British Navy is in every sea and it is the Empire’s bulwark. Sir Heaton Rhodes, the other evening, very properly trihuted the Navy as a factor in the material progress New Zealand had achieved as a nation in its brief existence of eighty years. And it is the same with oilier outposts of the .Empire, the Navy as the policeman of the seas has kept the ocean highways free and safe, permitting trade and intercourse to develop with such rapidity. If we turn again to the Motherland, wA 6nd her emerging from the aftermath erf the Great War true to the best traditions—paying her way and maintaining her prestige as the financial centre of the world. During llio period of the strike, again was manifested the real spirit of the nation, and disaster was averted. There are still industrial problems for settlement, but with patience and forbearance the parties are moving, to a settlement which doubtless will he enduring. There was alarm felt about India, as there is concern felt about Canada and South Africa, but tbe latest news in all three cases goes to .show that there is little occasion to fear serious events. The way of Empire is never easy, hilt that of the British Empire is definitely progressive and assuring.