THE WHITE MAN’S BURDEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 June 1921, Page 12

THE WHITE MAN’S BURDEN.

WHAT THE OLD LAND IS DOING. HER NOBILITY, COURAGE AND GREATNESS. Writes Colonel Mitchell, M.P., to the Wellington papers, in reply to Mr. Brash, of the National Dairy Association:— “What amount Great Britain made out of butter I do not know, but I do know she has had more than her share of the white man’s burden these last few years. She was the cow which everyone milked, who had anything to sell, since the outbreak of hostilities, especially some nations, who were ever ready to squeeze out the last drop, during our Empire’s struggles in the throes of war. Hai- appalling burdens, beside which our own are small indeed, are only equalled by her courage, her nobility, and her greatness. Whatever she made out of our produce, and it may be very small when the present stocks are. realised, it is as nothing to the debt we owe to the great Mother of our race, by whose sacrifices we were saved from the shame, humility, and poverty of foreign domination. The wreck of battle is yet all around her, her people are bruised and torn, and undone with fighting abroad and domestic strife at home, by the designs of foreign enemies, and her own traitors. Yet, from it all, the great nation again lifts her massive head clear above the debris and the fog—her armies still unconquered on the field, and with untarnished honor at home, she stands the noblest edifice that God ha? ever fashioned by the hand of man. Eor the sake o-f us all, may her broken ranks soon be closed again, and prosperity and happiness reign amongst her people, that she may continue to fulfil her rightful mission and lead the world, for the good and happiness of mankind, and the glory of God.

“This is the Empire and the cause for which so many thousands gave their lives, and thousands more were maimed. What is our mean, monetary sacrifice in comparison with that which they gave? How small is the Empire’s debt to us in comparison with our debt to th* Empire? God knows England had to pay enough. Is it in keeping with our pride and patriotism to say that we should have still more? I refuse to belipve that such sentiments generally exist, for they arc unworthy of any Britisher. Whatever may be our little local differences, and we will always have them, 1 appeal to Mr. Brash to stop this miserable charge of profiteering against the Imperial Government. It is humiliating alike to our personal pride and our country’s prestige, and doe.A not, 1 am sure, represent the opinion of our producers, or any other section of our loyal people.”