THE BRITISH FAMILY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 132, 4 May 1940, Page 8

THE BRITISH FAMILY.

CLOSING OF RANKS. ALL FEUDS FORGOTTEN. (By Donald Cowie) Many exaggerated reports about disaffection in such countries as India and Palestine have been circulated during recent years by German propagandists. It has even been stated that in the event of war these countries would instantly rebel against the British Empire. The war has come, and what is the result? The British Empire has never been so united in its long history. Not a single part of the Empire has rebelled against the Mother Country’s decision. . All have offered their lull support. How can one explain this remarkable phenomenon ? Consider the case of Mr Gandhi, hitherto the spiritual leader of those Indians who would destroy the British raj. On the outbreak of war, Mr Gandhi expressed his horj-or at the violent methods of Germany and counselled his followers to oppose all breakers of the peace. As a result the British in India are supported by their previous enemies, as well as by thousands of martial Indians, like the Sikhs, whose loyalty lias never been questioned. Until recently the claims of Jews and Arabs in Palestine were bitterly contested, and both parties assailed Great Britain, whose difficult task was to act as mediator. The outbreak of war instantly brought protests of loyalty to Great Britain and oilers of support from Jewish and Arab leaders alike.

Similarly, the British Government had been faced with serious labour troubles in the West Indies, but when war was declared all classes made public expression of their loyalty and their desire to help England. Mr • Bustamente, the Labour leader of the erstwhile “rebels,” stated at once that he placed “the services of himself and the trade unions unreservedly at the disposal of the Government.” No doubt of the loyalty of the groat and independent British Dominions lias ever been entertained. But even in these countries there have been opposition movements. Canada has a large French minority, which has always been opposed to participation in Imperial wars. On the outbreak of the Hitler war two of the French-Canadian leaders telegraphed to the Prime Minister as follows: “Have us both enlisted forthwith fpr active service in Canada or anywhere abroad if Great Britain goes to war.” The Labour Opposition in Australia, previously in favour of isolation from European conflicts, at once offered the Government its full support; and the New Zealand Labour Government, famous for its pacifist proclamations at Geneva, was the first to organise an expeditionary force for service overseas. The South African Assembly removed its old and respected Prime' Minister, General Hertzog, from his office because he advised neutrality. All the British African colonies have deliberately taken advantage of the occasion to re-state their Imperial loyalty. In the words of one African spokesman: “The question at stake is whether native races in colonial territories shall continue to enjoy full civil rights, with promise of eventual independence. Britain has always given us our rights, and has made us that promise.” Yes, it may well he asked what lias been responsible for this unanimous movement among all the peoples of the Empire. What is this unifying force that has compelled agitators to abandon their agitation, radicals to forget' their roots, and subject races to demand ah even closer bondage? The answer is a simple one. All sections of opinion in the British Enipire are united in the belief that Nazi Germany must at all costs he restrained from threatening the very basis upon which the British Empire has been built- That basis is fair dealing and respect for liberties. Surely there is great hope for mankind in such a .spontaneous uprising!