CROWN COLONIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 221, 19 September 1938, Page 19

CROWN COLONIES.

DEVELOPMENT PLAN. NEW ZEALANDER'S PROPOSAL DOMINIONS TO SHARE THE WORK. (Special—By Air Mall.) LONDON, September 3. Official circles in London show keen interest- in the suggestion made by Lieutenant-Colonel E. ff. W. Lascellcs, a New Zealander, that the co-operation of the Dominions ; should be sought in the endeawur to develop socially and economically the l Crown colonies and dependencies for the benefit of their own' peoples In particular and of the Empire in general. In a letter which is given great prominence in the London ''Times," Lieu-tenant-Colonel Lascelles writes:—"Some of ns who are Dominion-born do not forget that not so long ago the lands of our birth were 'colonies,' and we think with pride of our forbears who went out from the Motherland into new worlds, and built great States which are now, with that Motherland, proud partners in the British Commonwealth of Nations. "We of New Zealand are conscious of the fact that our partners in the work have been our Maori fellow-countrymen. "I recall the words of an old friend, Sir Maui Pomare, Minister representing the native race, who, speaking in Parliament on December 9, 1018, said: 'For 78 years we have been not under the rule of the British, but taking a part in the ruling of ourselves, and we know by experience that the foundations of British- sovereignty are based upon the eternal principles of liberty, equity and justice.' "Xew Zealand is not alone in ability to contribute to the solution of one of the Empire's greatest problems—how to ensure the fullest possible life to its colonial peoples; there Is no Dominion that cannot help and that will not be ■ager humbly to supplement the greater experience of the Mother* Country, on whom directly rest* this great burden."

"I'm sure your darling will be alright." The darling growled in confirmation of the diagnosis, and when the vet got to the end of the garden path, he turned and growled in return. Then he proceeded on his way to 25, Cheltenham Terrace, where he found Jack and his owner awaiting him. Tom Bennett was neither ild nor grumpy, nor at all ill-looking. But he was very angry. "Well:'' inquired the vet, patting the patient. "'How's things to-day?" .lark gave a leap, and Ticked his doctor on the face with the greatest goixlliuiiioiir and thoroughness, after which he submitted patiently \o examination, and behaved ill all respect's with the perfect society manners of a thoroughbred lon terrier. "He was rather handicapi>ed," said the vet. "HeYl have given a far better account of himself if he'd been able to get through the hair of that uglv Peko." '"How do you know it was a Peke.?" inquired Bennett. The vet was a little taken aback at this question. But lie recollected himself in time. "Vim told mo the policeman said so." -So I did." -Who owns it?" ; '•Some old oat. You know the kind of women who keep these little canine , insults. Somerset'* her name. Slie lives in (iraystoke Gardens. Do you know her?"' -I've heard of her." - What's she like?" .Tack's master put the question in a voice which seemed to indicate that no friend of t.'hoo Ling's owner would be any friend of his. So the vet. was diplomatic. "She's more or lees as you describe. A spinster. The sort of woman who owns Pekes. Just as you say." "Then she's got a surprise coming to her," said Jack's master. "It's a darned shame the way these sour old maids fuss and pet their nasty little lap-dogs, feeding them on chicken and port until they're ready to bust with ill-temper and spite. '"Jack can look after himself." "He did," said Bennett. "But I'm taking up the cudgels now." "What? Have you been to see your solicitor ':" "Why not? The law says that a dog that is a public danger has no right to be at larpe. I wish I'd seen the fight." "I heard it was a pretty good dustup." "I daresay it was," said Bennett, patting Jack on the head. "But, any way, my solicitor is taking out a summons to £et the other beast destroyed." Tho vet. whistled. "You don't think he can?" "Oh, I don't know. At all events, I wish you luck." "Thanks." said Bennett, producing a little white envelope and passing it into the vet.'s hand. "And now, what about treatment?" Decisions were taken. "It'll serve the old cat right," said Bennett. "Next time 6he buys a dog she'll buy a real one. Are you going to attend Court?" "What day?" "Monday morning, at 10." "I might," said the vet. _. The more Mies Somerset thought of it, the less complimentary was the picture she drew of the owner of the other dog. Crabbed brutality, doddering insolence, self-opinionated' disregard of other people's rights and feelings, all these were the essential qualities of a man who could own a dog that treated Choo Ling in a manner so outrageous. She would scarcely have been complimented had she known what a reciprocal picture was being drawn about herself. But she and Bennett both found satisfaction in the knowledge that before long guilt would receive it* proper reward, justice would be satisfied, and a measure of compensation be awarded to their injured pets.

Miss Somerset was late on Monday morning. There was 110 time to give Choo Ling its proper attention. She hastily telephoned her solicitor to meet her outside the Court, hailed a taxi, and urged the driver to do the distance in record time. Just as they reached the entrance to the Court a dog bounded