The Waikato Times TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1939 COLONIAL POLICY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20736, 21 February 1939, Page 6

The Waikato Times TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1939 COLONIAL POLICY

Under the influence of Germany's insistent demand for the return of her former colonies, the British people are delving 1 deeply into the whole colonial question and searching Britain's own policy. Discussion has been stimulated by the celebration of the centenary of the Durham report on Canada, which had the effect of setting a standard for the colonial policy of the British Empire. The report marked an important transition in colonial policy and crystallised British opinion on the ethics of the process of colonising. Previously Britain had acquired some colonies to gain economic benefits; in more recent times the welfare of colonial peoples themselves has been a major consideration in the whole colonial policy.

This British conception of the colonial issue contrasts sharply with Germany's claims. Germany has declared that colonial possessions are essential to her own economic advancement. Whether that is basically true or not, there is the ground for future conflict and continued difference on the right of Germany to reoceupy her former colonies. While the British conception is not likely to prevent Germany pressing her claims, it is well that Britons should have a clear picture in their minds of what is right and what is wrong when the control of colonial territories has to be decided.

The progress of colonial development provides an interesting study and leads to the conclusion that Germany is about a century behind in the evolution of eolonial policy. Possibly, but for her rashness in the Great War, she would have found a place with the other great Powers in the advancement of a new colonial empire. There was a time when all the great colonising nations annexed colonies simply to gain economic and strategic advantages for themselves. Germany was one of them. Since that time there has been no great change in colonial territorial possessions apart from Germany's forfeiture of her overseas empire.

In the meantime the welfare of the colonies themselves has become the paramount consideration as far as Britain is concerned. The right of self-determination has become an established principle, and whether she wishes it or not, Britain must be the champion of that principle. While some measure of control must be maintained in some cases, the native peoples must have the right to remain under the wing of Britain, France or whoever has the present mandate. Britain would be violating the principle she herself has established if she should hand the control of any territory to Germany against the will of the people living in that territory. Britain has colonies and Germany has not; will the British principle withstand the force of Germany's claims ?