IMPOLICY OF ISOLATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5357, 29 May 1878, Page 3

IMPOLICY OF ISOLATION.

(From tho Canterbury Press, May 25.)

“No man was ever destined to play a lone hand in the world.” So spoke that excellent colonist, Mr. Robert Wilkin, at the dinner given in his honor on Tuesday night, and his words are such as many of those who affect an exclusive self-sufficiency would do well to weigh seriously. But if the maxim is a wise one for individuals,’ how much better is its truth illustrated when applied to communities, and especially to colonial communities. No country was. ever destined to go alone in the world, and it may be added that, in this age of commerce in proportion as a bommunity attempts to segregate itself from the outside world, in that proportion does it hinder its own advancement and favor the process of political and social petrefaotion. Now, New Zealand as a colony has latterly exhibited a very decided disposition to adopt this principle, and go alone amongst the colonies of Australasia. Her insular position and distance from her neighbors do no doubt create a temptation in this direction, and supply some excuses of an apparently reasonable character for New Zealand abstaining from joining in the schemes of her Australian neighbors. Of course where she has no interests involved, as for instance, in schemes of drainage for. Central Australia, or railway communication between the continental colonies, it is not to be supposed that she would obtrude her advice, or take any part In the matter. But where her interests and those of Australia are the same, it is simply childishness for New Zealand to stand aloof and endeavor to strike out a coiirse different from her neighbors, as though she were better or wiser than they. This reflection applies immediately to the relations of the colonies to one another, and to the whole of their relations with the external world, and we are quite certain that the wisest statesman for New Zealand will be he who attempts by every possible means to promote a cordial co-operation between the colonies oh all matters of common importance. It may be that the immediate benefit in any given case will not he great to one particular country; but the attainment amongst these l colonies of a thoroughly good understanding and whole-hearted reliance upon one another’s goodwill will far outweigh any direct benefits. ; The immediate advantages will not be small, but that of which we speak will, if attained, he inestimable. The time is rapidly drawing near when Australia will have an interest of her own in the world, which she will he able to make felt and intelligible in proportion as it is complete and concentrated. There is small fear of conquest by Arab or Tartar, though disastrous raids from the last race have to he guarded against.; ,But there is no overlooking the present possibility of invasion by the Mongol, and, peaceable though that will he, we are convinced it will not he in the interests of civilisation. Joint action between these colonies is already necessary on; this subject. This, however, is only one great question looming in sight amongst fifty others which could be named did space permit. In fact, it may be said that there is no object which an AngloSaxon community is interested in promoting which will not bb better promoted by joint rather than individual action amongst these colonies. Therefore, we say that the farseeing statesman is the man who, instead of endeavoring either negatively by conceited exclusiveness, or positively by the assertion of an imaginary superiority, to exaggerate the importance Of his particular colony in the eyes of her neighbors,-endeavors to draw all the colonies closer together, and to establish links of amity between them strong enough to withstand all possible temptations to difference, to secure the discussion of common questions on a liberal basis, in a word, to create a deep and affectionate interest of each in the welfare of each.

A very brief glance at recent history in Now Zealand will show that such action ns she has taken in any way affecting the great issues; alluded to has been of a kind to increase rather than diminish her distance from her neighbors. We need not go farther back than the meeting of the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce on Monday last for instances. At that meeting the questions of defence, of the Paris Exhibition, and of cable communication with Europe, were all referred to, and ail supplied examples, of the manner in which New Zealand has taken a different course from her neighbors. The necessity for this colony being represented at the Cable Conference was urged in these columns, when the meeting was first projected. The Government, by submitting their views in writing, have admitted that New Zealand’s interests were closely affected by the Conference. By abstaining from being represented, notwithstanding this admission, the Government have neglected a very obvious duty, and the result is that New Zealand’s interests have apparently suffered. Then as to the Paris Exhibition, the non-representation of New Zealand is not a matter that concerns her alone, although of course she will be the most direct sufferer. It was the interest of all Australasia that the products of every colony; should be as fully as possible exhibited before the, world at the Paris show. They have a collective purpose to serve in attracting attention to and making trade for the whole group. That purpose New Zealand has on this occasion done ail that lay in her power to frustrate. The Legislature, it is pleaded, did not vote the money, and the plea must be admitted as excusing the Government to the colonists, but not as excusing the colony to its neighbours. Lastly, although all Australasia is arming sufficiently at least to protect its principal ports, and repel any privateering parties that may bo lauded, Now Zealand has done absolutely nothing. Though day after day telegrams come as to the preparations which are being made for preying up6u these colonies the Government remain inactive, and ostentatiously announce that they will continue their inactivity until war is actually declared. They have telegraphed, indeed, so it is said, for eight guns. They might as well have telegraphed for a spile to stop a bung-hole. Eight gqns to protect a colony having two thousand miles of coast line, with settlements well worth plundering in almost every inlet along that lino 1 Did Bedlam itself over hoar of such absurdity 1 If it is urged that her defence is a matter which affects only the colony bersolf, wo reply by asking if Australian merchants do no commerce with Now idea-

land, it New Zealand merchants do none with Australia ? Are there not scores of Australian owned vessels in our waters?; Are not New Zealand owned vessels insured in Australian companies ? Are there not coaling stations in New Zealand, from which a piratical steamer might obtain the great essential for. effectively. injuring Australia ? Such- questions need no reply, being -in - themselves - sufficient to show,that they who deny Australia’s interest iu the defence of New Zealand. speak the words of foolishness. -.

Enough has now been said in support of the assertion which we have made that New Zealand is exhibiting a disposition to play a lone hand among the Australian colonies. Of the effects of this policy we shall not speak further than ,to say that,, if to bo known as*a people spiritless in their own defence, impracticable and conceited in dealing with- their neighbors, is the character which New Zealanders desire to bear, they may make sure of attaining it by permitting the present course in regard to Australasian affairs to be persisted in'. If they are not anxious to incur the contempt of all Australasia) if they do-wish that the future shall see all these colonies working as one for a newer and broader civilisation, with a cordiality subsisting between them such as may well be the admiration of Europe, then they will- put a summary-veto -upon the further prosecution of the present policy of isolation, and insist that their Government shall abandon the witless attempt, certain to end in ignominy, to play a lone hand for New Zealand. r ■■■<■■ . I--