TRUE IMPERIALISM. Not Flag-waving or Mafficking.

Free Lance, Volume VI, Issue 268, 19 August 1905, Page 6

TRUE IMPERIALISM. Not Flag-waving or Mafficking.

ON August sth, the Lanes remarked : — "Waving a penny Union Jack, made in Germany, is one way of being loyal, and howling "God Save the King" is another. And on August 10th (Coronation Day), His Excellency the Governor, Lord Plunket, remarked that patriotism "had a higher and broader meaning than was expressed in waving the Union Jack, playing the band, and singing "God Save the King." From which we gather that His Excellency and ourselves are in sympathetic accord on this particular question. Lord Plunket told the Newtown school - children that patriotism meant a uniting of individuals to make their country the first m the arts of peace, etc. Their country? Which country ? Wonder did His Excellency mean "the Empire" or New Zealand. The man who buys a New Zealand rug because, in his heart of hearts, he feels he ought to support New Zealand industries, is a better patriot than the man who howls for the blood of the Russian because Britain has the Jap for an ally. It is an extremely difficult thing for a colonial youngster to "think: imperially," but it is less hard for him to think colonially, and if he just does the best he can with the splendid material he has on the spot, he will be a citizen of the Empire worth talking about There isn't any doubt that Lord Plunket has, during his short residence amongst us, fairly gauged the colon-

ial temperament, and his excellent advice to the young colonial was tempered with a moderation of sentiment that is worthy of imitation. It is right and proper for the young colonial to know over what a tremendous extent of country the Union Jack waves, and to be loyal to the Crown, but it is still more fitting that the young colonial should appreciate to the fullest extent the privilege of living in this particular part of the Empire, and advancing it before all other parts, not by loudmouthed boastings, but by personal endeavour to make it worth other people's while to boast. Loyalty is not blood-thirstiness, and patriotism isn't necessarily indicated by rifle shots and bayonet thrusts. • * • Celebrate Trafalgar Days and the victories of British arms- not because the said arms have soaked the earth with blood, but because they have made it possible for young New Zealanders and other young colonials to be part possessors of the countries they occupy. His Excellency cold the youngsters that by performing the part of good citizens they would be more loyal than by dying for their country. There never was much real splendour m dying for one's country. * * « One dies for one's country by accident, and it is a deal more noble to live as long as possible for it. The Governor is so evidently averse to the snuffling kind of lip loyalty that it is absolutely refreshing to hear his broad definition of patriotism. He and all true patriots want people to quit whooping for the Empire, in order to do something without whooping, and the New Zealander does his best for the Empire while he is doing his best for New Zealand.