The Guardian And Evening Scar, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1927. OUR DISTINGUISHED VISITOR.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Scar, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1927. OUR DISTINGUISHED VISITOR.

Tim distinguished visitor to the Coast in the person of Rt. Hon. L. C. Amery is a link in the chain of Empire of which the British people are so proud. A little more interest manitested in our Empuire would ensure more certain pride and interest in its general welfare. Mr Amery brings a message of good will and kindly promise. The British Empire is a great Empire of which we may all be proud. Mr Amery has been travelling round the world and has never been out of touch with the Empire. His mission lias taken him to South Africa, Australia and Now Zealand, he has yet to go to Canada. All the great sister Dominions will have been visited, but still lie will not have traversed all the outposts of F.mpore, for there remains India, the East Indies, the West Indies, and the rising sections of Empire round the African Coast and numerous important islands dotted all through the seven seas. An Empire so vast is a potent power and if it were allied as closely in trade and intercourse at it is in unity of political thought ami sentiment how much more would its potency be enhanced. There are times when the Empire must do its most for its own kith and kin. In the period of the Great War, Britain and her Empire sacrificed her all for civilisation. Her reward has not been commensurate with her actions, but still she did a noble deed, and the justice and wisdom of it all, must have produced a wide respect for ail that is British. Still, oven among some of her allies of the war period there is distrust manifested against Britain, suggesting that her most lasting reward and recognition will be with her own people. There is room for much such intercourse in trading and immigration, and Mr Amery's visit should advance those factors in material progress very greatly He is preaching a plain Gospel of self-help among the nations of the Empire, and it is worth listening to and acting upon. It is a notable occasion indeed to have a member of the British Cabinet with us. The occasion serves to bring the Motherland very close to us. Distant as New Zealand is from Britain, there is no more loyal part of the Empire thah here in the Antipodes. Mr Amery has appreciated what the Dominion has done, and has realised the spirit which animated the action. We, on our part, will appreciate the visit, and he will he welcomed for the kindly way in which lie has expressed the approval of tiie Dominion attitude towards the Empire. Circumstances point to the fact- that there is a quickening of the trading interests and no doubt schemes will be broadened to build up more and more the British races abroad with migration within the Empire. It is the sound thing to do, and the duty is to go about it in the right way. The visit of the British Minister must stimulate interest in Empire affairs, and Mr Amery is certainly capable of placing matters before his audiences in a way to carry conviction, for he has his subject, and his Mission very much at heart. He will lx? welcomed as a true missioner of Empire, and during his journey up and down the Dominions will sow much good seed which will bear fruit abundantly for the lasting good of the British Empire, which ho has so much at heart.