THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1907. DOMINION—TO-DAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8544, 26 September 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1907. DOMINION—TO-DAY.

Owing to the wonderful power which kings, emperors, and other augqst personages possess, New Zealand will be to-day transformed from a colony into a Dominion. The country will, no doubt, wear much the same aspect after it has been transformed, in a measure of speaking, as it did before the Proclamation was read. Mount Holdsworth will still remain, and Mr Easthope will still be secretary of the Mount Holdsworth Committee. The people will eat for breakfast, dinner and tea very much the same sort of edibles as they did before the heavy title "'Dominion" war laid upon

their honest shoulders. Nevertheless, the event is an epoch in the history of the country, and the extent to which such an epoch can be regarded as an honourable event depends upon the future actions of the people | of New Zealand. The title of "Dominion" will not help the people one iota so far as the development of the country is concerned. . It is no glory to the Government. It does not'take the place, let us say, of a good Land Bill, or of a progressive railroad policy. If we are "a large country," if we are of a true democratic mind, if we are a really progressive people, let us point to our works rather than to our title. The title is froth—good works are genuine monuments of fame. The children are' to be taught' l that it is an important historical, event, but how much do the dhitaren, and Some who are beyond the, age of childhood, knew of their own country?" What systematic effort has ever been made ! to educate the young in all the important questions appertaining to the country's welfare? We are perfectly well aware that all the children are going to be presented with medals, and we think it is a really very nice thing to do, but presenting children with medals will not educate them in national sentiment. The British Government struck medals when the Duke of Wellington died—the writer has one in his possession—but he cannot believe that any youngster was really benefited by being presented with a bad "likeness" of the Iron Duke. No, the position is this •—that the development of true , national sentiment rests with the < leaders of the people. If our leaders care more for themselves, more ; for titles, than they do for the wel- ■ '

fare of their country, then we may be sure that national sentiment is being hindered rather than engendered. Af*;er all, is it "their" country, or do they only regard it as a colony, or a Dominion?