THE DOMINIONS. AND BRITAIN.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18668, 17 April 1926, Page 16

THE DOMINIONS. AND BRITAIN.

TO THF IDIfOS. OT "TBZ PBEBS." Sir,—lt was reported a few days ago that New Zealand .had acquired the premises of the British Medical Association, and was moving from ' its "shop" in the Strand. For many years the'site, on'a corner of which Australia House stands, was vacant, and I have ofteu. wondered why the Dominions did not acquire it, and huild a' palatial place commensurate with their future greatness—that is, if they continue to form part of the ,British Empire. Such a . site is now unobtainable. It is, of course, close to Charing Cross station, and this could' have been made the centre for Dominion produce storage — inarkpt, offices, cinema, all complete. Only Dominion produce need have been sold' there, which would have done away with any chance of unfair dealing—i.e. by substitution of other produce. 'No: Dominion politicians Vvere not "big'' enough for the countries under their temporary influence, and could not visualise the future,' or act collectively each running his own'"little show," and more or less jealous of his neighbour, which could not. be,.if all really were proud of belonging to the Empire, and placed that firs<. Perhaps some might point to the expense. Say the site cost £2,000.000, and the buildings another £3.000,000, even then, that sum, £5,000,000, only represents the amount the London County Council spent recently on their Municipal Buildings on the Thames Embankment. Surely Canada, Australia, The Cape, and New Zenlaijd, etc., could have done as mnoh. Excuse .me .for yvondering-wheth-er the Dominions are still too "parochial." I've heard people say we are Australians—do they mean "aboriginals," Canadians,- New Zealanders, and South Africans. Do • these claim relationship with Indians, Maoris, or blackfellows? Are they not descended from British 3tock? If- not, that is nothing to boast- about, and if they are, they may well be proud of their good fortune, and should not camouflage it by specific names. If the Dominions are to develop into nations,'they had better pull together-ns the-"British Empire," until they have developed (if, even then) sufficiently to protect the great territories which were won. by British blood, courage,' and enterprise. —Yours, etc., BBITISH.' April loth, 1926. , .