THE GERMAN COLONIES

Taranaki Daily News, 23 January 1918, Page 2

THE GERMAN COLONIES

INTEREST OF DOMINIONS. London, Jan. 8. Lord Syderilmm, formerly Governor of Victoria, says, in the course of an article in the Daily Graphic:—"Her colonies cannot be returned to Germany. Australia and New Zealand feared German incursions in the South Pacific, and Australia endeavored to forestall the Oif-' ' man occupation of the r,on-Dutch portion Df New Guinea. The apathy of the Home i Government caused Australia's wishes to Ibe only partially accomplished. As the Gentian Navy increased it'became evident J that her naval' bases in the south-east : endangered Australia's security. When the Pence Conference assembles it must be made clear that the claims of humanity and the progress of civilisation debar any further application of the tyrannous German methods to native-races in any part of the world. We are lighting as an I Empire, but. without Imperialistic aims. ; The fate of the German colonies will rest, as Mr. Lloyd George pointed out, upon the Peace Conference, which must secure just and kindly treatment for their populations. | ..■■"'The views Of tlwr Dominions, whose j. whole future interests are deeply involved,' must receive the. fullest consideration. . Germany will be disappointed in the expectation that will restore' her colonies. The Empire Government's which the Peace Conference s'hall decree to 'be created must prevent exploitation guarantee the onward and upward progress of the various tribi»9. ■ The idea of .the Labor Conferences of a; supernational Government, in which the representative* of half-a-dozen Powers will participate, is impracticable. It would lead to endless friction. The Governments must be on the lines of British rule in India, which, judged by the wonderful jprogress of the most heterogeneous and mutually antagonistic peoples in the world, w the greatest achievement- of British genius/'