OUR IMPERIAL POLITICIANS.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 62, 18 March 1902, Page 4

OUR IMPERIAL POLITICIANS.

[By J oseph Taylor.] The speeches delivered by the Right Hon K. J. Seddon, the Premier, and by the Hon. Sir Joseph G. Ward,, in connexion with the Nelson'Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, are fraught with deep and special significance in several respects. Never have these two distinguished political leaders said less of a political and partisan type;yet never have they said more that will effectively enhance their personal reputation, their party interests, and the welfare of our country and Empire. . For once, whether intentionally or accidentally, party politics have been lost sight of altogether ; and both of our eminent ministers have let themselves go swimmingly xn regard to those commercial and imperial concerns which all intelligent arid loyal colonials feel to be of paramount importance, and with which none in New Zealand are better fitted by experience to deal than Mr Seddon and Sir Joseph Ward. The occasion was peculiarly fitted for drawing out large minded utterances ; seeing that the history of Nelson epitomises the whole history of New Zealand since the arrivals of Europeans in connection with its settlement as a British Colony. Everybody must rejoice that such an occasion has presented itself, since it has given J£ J° a new order of politicians ; and has tl x d T ed s P lendic i scope for Mr Seddon and Mr Ward to shine in the role, not only for which they are pre-eminently fitted, but also m which they will always henceforth find themselves most at home. They have forever outgrown their swaddling clothes i r,, P art y bickerings ; and have realised the iuh import and commercial value to this colony of the imperial consciousness. 1 hey are no longer hedged in by a too detailed respect for private interpretations and personal interests, but rise to a general view of the welfare of the Empire, and they have discovered that a comprehensive cosmopolitan policy involves and ensures most completely the safety and progress of their own little corner of the earth.. Men of such an order are precisely what we have long been wanting ; and such men can only be evolved under the conditions obtaining m such a country as ours, and under circumstances similar to those in which we find ourselves placed. Until recently all British Colonies had became almost entirely submerged in the discussion of local affairs; and had fahen to squabbling about the petty details of party politics. On a larger scale, the same spirit prevailed throughout the older countries of Europe. Having no obviously menacing enemies without, the various Governments in the Old World, and in America, were beginning to snap and devour after an internecine manner.

But the wars in Cuba, in China, and in South Airica, have changed the political physiognomy of the earth, and in spite of withering brute force selfishness, they Have taught the world that the true and saving order for the- nations is not inward, but outward.

The older nations were all hopelessly self centred; Providence has completely inverted the order. In America, the 1 ammany troubles and the money standard bickerings were dropped for a fight with the Spaniards and Fillippinoes. The seething cauldron of international fears in Europe was forgotten in presence of a common toe in China, half way round the n • -V. i? he scattere <i members of the British Empire are switched into unity and solidarity by the Boer rebellion in about the geographical centre of the British dominions. And all the Colonies find their true selves, and discover the measure of their own importance, by going out of themselves, and sacrificing their bravest sons, in presence of a common foe in South Africa.

In this way they are made to teach the world how much more blessed it is to give than to receive. They give their best blood from love, or from sheer fear, hoping for no reward. But they receive, in return, a new sense of oneness with the "mighty British Empire, a new sense of security and national importance, and a new order of politicians, whose spirit and sympathies are wide as the world.

"Of late,''said our Right Hon. Premier, in his speech at the Nelson Banquet to the Ministers of the Crown, "a change had been taking place in the relations between Prime Ministers of the Colonies and the .Imperial Government ; and between the people of the Colonies and those of the Motherland. To day in the conduct of the business of the Empire the Prime Ministers of the Colony and the will of the people of the Colonies had more influence for good." What a new sense of greatness pervades these words S They are unlike anything that ever was uttered before by Colonial Premiers ; and yet they are not impudent, but represent a • clear consciousness of sober reality. A Colony is great which has the unselfish courage and ability to

send rune contingents to South Airica to tight m defence of the British Empire! I here is no littleness about such a colony ; and we can no longer remain a cypher inthe Imperial considerations of Colonial concerns. With this consciousness our nation is born again, and we must henceforth have a living voice and a vote in determming.the direction of Imperial Commerce.

Referring to a conference only a few years ago, under the presidency of the Right Hon J. Chamberlain, the principal creator of the modern Imperial sentiment, Mr Seddon said, " In a short time there would be another .conference, at which would be present representatives of His Majesty's dominions beyond the seas, at which the will and desires of the people of the Empire would be made known, as they hoped for the good of the Empire/' And then, waxing bolder, as might naturally be expected, he said, with special reference to the fostering of foreign trade, "the line of conduct towards the great Colonies must be changed lf we are to hold the solidarity of the Empire. It was the bounden duty of Britishers to help men of their, own race, and to keep their trade within themselves. If Britain helped the Colony it meant strengthening the Empire. The Imperial Government was supporting Argentina instead of British Colo- - nies, and if they stopped that they would be doing their duty.'* Fancy the audacity of a Colonial Premier talking so! How audacious and even blasphemous to remind the Imperial authorities of what "must be changed" and of.what;must be done in order that they may do their " duty." And yet we in New Zealand don't regard it as blasphemy. We only consider our Premier has spoken forth the words of truth and soberness. He has boldly voiced the common consciousness. It is only naturalfthat. the first consideration should be accorded to members of our own family. We are only glad that our Prime Minister is actually concerned about these matters. His corageous utterances reveal him as a politician of a new and higher order; whose sense of national importance is being overruled for the promotion of peace and trade, and whose personal influence and extensive political experience are to be in future important factors in Imperial politics. " Some must be great. Great offices wilt have Great talents. And God gives every man The virtue, temper, understanding, taste. That lifts him into life, and lets him fall Just in the niche he was ordained to fill.'"