Britain and her Colonies.

Manawatu Herald, 12 January 1905, Page 2

Britain and her Colonies.

SYDNEY, Jan. 7.

Mr Chamberlain, in a letter, says :—“ The statement, so freely made by those whose interest in the welfare of the Empire as a whole has always, been a doubtful quality, - that the colonies were selfishly fleeting their own aevantage, and while demanding great sacrifices frbm ufl would make no adequate return, is n a libel upon all our fellow subjects across the seas. The Unionist party had been in power for an exceptional period and the Opposition were consequently impatient to take their . places, and, speaking for myself, I shall not be sorry if an ordinary swing of the pendulum gives them the opportunity of showing what is really the character of their alternative policy. I know the people of this country are Imperial people and will not consent to be governed by “little England” ideas, while a short time of opposition would invigorate and unite our own party. Then, with their return to power, I should look forward to a triumph of our policy as a question of months rather than years.”

Mr Reid characterised Mr Grainger’s cabled statement that Australia is making a commercial treaty with some other Power as one of the silliest utterances made by an Australian Agent-General, and that is saying a great deal. It is inconceivable that the Commonwealth would make a commercial treaty with any Power other than Britain Any Government doing so would be oblivious to the fact that Britain keeps her ports open to the products of Australia.