FILIAL DUTY TO BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21369, 13 March 1941, Page 6

FILIAL DUTY TO BRITAIN

Mr Frank Milner’s stinging rebuke to those who wrote the book “ Contemporary New Zealand,” and to those who subscribe to the sentiments expressed in that book, will find a responsive echo in the hearts of Britons all over New Zealand. The mischief of the book, which was written for the conference on British Commonwealth relations, is that it may go out as representative of New Zealand’s attitude towards Britain when it is nothing of the kind. It represents only the view of that small section of people who imagine themselves superior to the ancient sentiment of reverence for Britain which inspires patriots to refer to it as “ Home.” The man who is ashamed to confess his love for his home is poor indeed. But Mr Milner igoes deeper and shows that there is much more than mere sentiment in New Zealand’s attachment to Britain. He instances a tour by Mr Nash of many other countries in an endeavour to find markets for the exports which are the lifeblood of the Dominion. The results of that quest are now practically nil. New Zealand still has- to depend almost wholly on Britain for its overseas markets. And where would New Zealand be now but for the protection of the Royal Navy ? Indeed, the contention that the Dominion should cut itself adrift from Britain is so utterly ridiculous that it is amazing that it should be necessary to rebuke an advocate of any such course. Yet there it is. Certain people are trying to convince New Zealand and the world that New. Zealanders have outgrown any filial duty to their homeland and that they would be far better off as an entirely independent unit, making their own way in life. It is as natural for Britons abroad to revere that island “ set in the silver sea” as it is to eat and drink, and it needs no poor modern “ intellectual ”to teach them where their interests lie. It is an affront to real New Zealanders to tell them at this moment when Britain is suffering and fighting as no nation ever suffered and fought before that they are too superior to own her as Home and parent. Why when war came did New Zealanders flock to the colours ? Why are they willing to fight to the death in the burning sands of Egypt or in snow or in mud to uphold the honour and the independence of Britain? Tell them that they are muddled sentimentalists who are fighting for a false idealism! When a man offers to sacrifice his life he searches his soul more deeply than he who at home tries to convince his countrymen that they are above love and duty to their home country.