COLONIES AND THE MOTHERLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 216, 5 September 1908, Page 2

COLONIES AND THE MOTHERLAND.

BKJU'AIVS IVwUi TO PKOTECi' AUSTRALIA. THE " I'ELLUVV PERIL." Received 4, 0.7 11.111. London, September 4. . The Times' .Melbourne correspondent, referring to the American newspapers suggestion regarding Australian din trust of Britain's will or power to prelect her against possible hostilities, says: ' 1 say emphatically that i heard no such suggestion, even ia quarters where it might liftvo Deen expected.' He adds: "Britain may be confident there is ao feeling of the kind at all.' The Westminster Gazette says that while Australia- welcomes the white Heel, it sympathises with the American difficulties on the Pacific C'oasl and shares a desire to exclude Asiatic aliens from Australia, which knows that the Imperial Government »nn» act as a trustee of tin Empire. However much it dislikes the Japaaese alliance on sentimental grounds, Australia cannot say it has injured Japan, which also knows that a British colony (vide South Africa) lias the fullest rights to exclude foreigners, and even British' subjects. New York newspapers doubt whether the anti-Japanese feeling iji Australasia is permanent or sincere, aad whether tlhe obvious difficulties of a Japanese attack upon her coasts will not ultimately dispel Australian fears. The Times, in a leader welcoming. Kabo's apiKiintmenl, remarks that Ja-, pan's programme of retrenchment and, postponement of tin- Exhibition is a clear iadicatioa of its determination to develop the country's economic strength, and should allay to thu extent of 50 per cent, the tremors of imaginative persons regarding the supposed bellicose aspirations of Japan.