THE BRITISH EMPIRE REMAINS THE HEAD OF THE NATIONS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 382, 6 July 1889, Page 8

THE BRITISH EMPIRE REMAINS THE HEAD OF THE NATIONS.

Tm the«e dav'a when doubts have been raised in some quarters a* to whether Britain really holds a sunro:ne p^fiition among 1 the ru«tions, and much has been written to prove t!i»t th<> time is »t hand when her nnwer will be nushed, bet dependencies tak<>n from her, her colonies independent, and t*he herself reduced to insignifiounre, it is refreshing and instructive to read siu-h word* as head this column, when found, as these Imve been, in an article in a leading Continental pnper. The Ne'ie Fine Pr-s*.-, •» le-wlinjr Aimtiian puper, lias tl-e following in an »irti,-le coinmentinir on tlio Qiiesn's speech on the opening of the British Phi liam"nt :— " Kngl-.nd i>* to be envied for its prosperity." N«»ne of the afflictions that impede nation*! anil Hocial progress on tho Continent are to be found across the Channel, wheie State lests lefts upon poldiers and f-hip9 than upon sound constitutional life. The ord.-r which depend* in other countries on dynastic feeling is in F.nsrland bused on public confidtnee in Pa.li.mient and national instituiions, and however naturally other States may ndvancp, the Britis.) Empire remain^ at the head of the nation*. The German Chancellor had leoognise this trutli, and, m"eh afjain«-tliis will, paid homape to En^l«na as a Colonial Power, and contracted, in the interests of Germany, relationßof friendship with acounlrv which had until then been regarded with extreme jealousy. England i* now about to increase its fleet and oth< r defences, and j-et we hear nothing; of additional taxe<, or of other of the burdens which weigh down the nations of the Continent. England asserts its position as a great Power with out any extraordinary sacrifices. What other nation c-in rival it in this respect ?" The ''Fremdenblatt/'writins: in a similar Ktrain, remaiks •— " Other Governments have to wring milltnry credits from their Parliaments. In England, the Pi ess and tmblic opinion actually force money upon the Government for purpose^ of national defence. The increase of England's strength benefits those nations whose sole aim is the maintenance of peace. Its armaments, far from causing alarm anjwhere. add to the general feeling of security." — Stni\