DOMINION VIEWS ON IMPERIAL UNITY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 266, 13 April 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

DOMINION VIEWS ON IMPERIAL UNITY.

A compendium of dominion vie.vs on the question of Imperial unity is published in tho ''Quarterly Review.'' There are contributions from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, but the names of the writers are not given. Despite all tho "if" and ''mights, ' it may be said of the contributions as a whole that they will help to clear away many misconceptions regarding the attitude of Jie Dominions to this very Important question, whilst at the samo time emphasising some of the many difficulties that will beset those who have to grapple with the task cf bringing about a closer Imperial union. For the most part, the articles consist of criticism of 'ho various proposals that have been j.nt forward by Mr Curtis and others; but it is constructive criticism. "We need not fear,'' the Australian writer remarks, "that any will refuse to admit now what two years ago many would have failed to recognise—that there is an Imperial problem to be solved. The next step must bo the conviction of leaders as oo the general nature of the means of solution. There will remain the task and the responsibility of forming a public opinion sufficiently strong to carry an effective measure" As to South Africa, we read that all outside tho Nationalists are agreed that self-in-terest and obligation alike bind the Union to the Empire, but they are also conscious that Nationalist antagonism is ii formidable fact which , must do taken into account in any scheme of closer union likely to- prove a practical success.

Mmy hundreds of applications had been recivul at the office of the New S'ihHi W;i!cs Railway Commissioners when [lie l.vt mail left in connection with ihi- call for lt«tf) labourers for Empire service in England. A register of all flu, applicants h::s boon kept, and ex li i iic will receive, in tlie course of a Hiv or two, mi application form for enrolment. When the-,, replies arc received the Railway Department will procepd with the selection, and wll ad-vi-e the romtnonwealtli Government if the result. It is proposal to take navvies, tettbrs, and labourer between 21 ami -V) years of ajze. Th -v will he provided with nassatres to England, and nil! he mid '•',- a day for seven davs a week while on the vovago, and I* : . dav while awaiting instructions to shirt work Mi Kn'.'l-.nd. In th,- ca>c of inarVh\\ ,;,•;,. the Sf v n ,v ,;,.,,, a lf owa „ r(v; "'■<•:• :l've in the A.T.K. forces will ai>nlv. The app-oximate rate of pay for Hie work in England is stated al Dd an hour for !>\ hour-; a wok with 2s. a day ji'lowancc, inclusive of Sundays.