Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JAN. 7, 1902. The Future.

Manawatu Herald, 7 January 1902, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, JAN. 7, 1902. The Future.

We are jno Seer and have no intention o i attempting to imitate the immortal “ Zadkiel,” whose almanac is framed to cause a large amount of uneasiness by vague generalities, but we can and must give thought to the future, whether as private persons or as members of a portion of the great British Empire. We have learnt by the sudden outbreak of the Boer war how quickly the usual routine of our lives may be broken, and how wonderfully an agricultural and pastoral community gets stirred to deeds of strife. The war has caused us all to appreciate better than we did the position we hold in the world, and the foolishness of the provincial cry which was so often used, of New Zealand for the New Zealanders. By the worthy and patriotic action of the Rt. Hon. Mr Seddon this colony has shown a desire to be considered a leading member of the Empire, and it therefore becomes an impossibility, after expressing our desire to interfere in affairs outside of the colony, that we should take the stand to prevent any member of the Empire from having as much freedom here as any ■one who by accident was born on the soil. We have pointed out that in the Commonwealth of Australia the attempt to ‘ beycot ’ coloured persons, but subjects of the Empire, to land in Australia, has been objected to by the Home Government, and the Commonwealth is now endeavouring to get round the objection by the pretence of insisting on an educational test. We trust that the good sense of our community will preserve us from any such puerile proceedings, and that our settlers will show the inheritance of the grit that possessed their forefathers, and.,be prepared to meet all comers in the struggle for a living with the old British spirit of fair play. Just as the Boer war cropped up, suddenly and unapprehended so may another war with any nation, at any time. We live in an age where actions are taken with speed, and where the first blow is reckoned of great advantage. The Fashoda incident with France enlightened us as to this, as it was reported that the British fleets were prepared to make a dash at the three important naval porta of France directly instructions were telegraphed. Trouble might have broken out in Afghanistan the other day with Russia simply because the Ruler died. The China war which has ended most ingloriously for all, except China, was only saved from being a world-wide war by the tact of making it appear as a war of China against the world, and thus employing the armies of the Great Powers as allies instead of enemies of one another. Any moment we may witness Japan flying at Russia for Korea- and Manchuria, as she is ready to do it now if only assured of the support of some other Power. War cannot be raised and regulated between the two countries who commenced fighting, except in the rarei case of the United States and Spain, and this was only secured by Great Britain insisting upon its being so. Thus we have reason to fear war at any time, and if so our position as a member of the Empire needs that politicians and colonists take a wider view of the position and their responsibilities than has been their habit. We cannot all get just what we want; the world through there must be a give and take, and New Zealand cannot have the colony for its inhabitants alone, but must be

prepared to welcome all who are the fortunate subjects of the King and Emperor over whose territories the sun never sets. Why should we not? the colour is no difficulty as our own people, the Maoris, are brown, and we know whether British subjects are white, brown, or yellow they have always shown their devotion to the Empire' by exhibition of bravery and by standing shoulder to shoulder to withstand every assault made upon any portion of our territory. Lot us make the cry wider and truer, let us desire the British Empire for her people, and that the fact that we are subjects of one Ruler to make us desire to be all brothers.