THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1921, Page 5

THE EMPIRE.

PARTNERSHIP IDEAL. BASIS OF ITS SURVIVAL. DOMINIONS MUST LEAD. As Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. 6, 11,5 p.m. London, Feb. 5. Lord Milner, interviewed on the eve of his retirement from the Colonial Office, said all vestige of the subjection of the Dominions to the Motherland had disappeared, and the only basis on which the Empire can survive is partnership. “The whole problem with which we are faced,” he added, “is how to make the partnership work. Instead of affirming and re-affirming the Dominions’ independence, which' nobody disputes, we should concentrate attention on the practical point of how six independent governments at different fcnds of the earth can give one another the greatest mutual assistance, and how most effectively to uphold the interests we possess in commpn. It is admitted common interests of paramount importance exist, but no sooner does anyone make any proposal for organising the Dominions’ co-operation and putting it on a workable basis than somebody raises the cry of endangering the Dominions’ independence, and the thing ends in nothing being done.” “Personally,” he added, “I am sure nothing ever will be done to organise the Empire partnership by proposals emanating from Britain. The impulse must come from the Dominions, which, as they grow and think out their own future, will realise that the objects dearest to each are unattainable without the help of the rest. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.