OUR COMMON HERITAGE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21938, 12 November 1936, Page 9

OUR COMMON HERITAGE

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS Sir,—lt has been stated that the more profound the inperialist interest of a people the less secure their democracy, that tyranny degrades both those who exercise it and those who suffer it. and that a nation which seeks security at the expense of liberty, without benefit of intellectual excuse, is likely to'lose both. While not maintaining that these statements ring true in the light of current political events, it is discernible that the British genius for government is passing through the stage

of diplomatic finesse, and is evolving perforce along lines which may make much of the old diplomacy dead learning. In this portion of the Brit sh Commonwealth of Nations the atmosphere is not conducive to Imperialistic fever, which makes it possible for us to maintain and concentrate on domestic wellbeing, but our second incumbent duty to the commonwealth is bound up in the commonweal and welfare of its political components, which implies the unifying objective for a more balanced equality, psychological as well as economic. so as to reach down to causes instead of grappling with results. Although the standard of living among the subjects of an imperialistic power may be no higher than that of a nationalist state, the standard of national characteristics present in every clime may prove of great eventual value. An empire cannot be maintained on the year’s harvest alone for sustenance, on its oil output for motive power, or on other materials classed as prime essentials. Fact is much, but vision is more; solid stone gives a firm base, but the invisible air gives life. It is because of this unseen aspect of our commonweal, with, its analogy in nature’s cyclic laws, that we consider our redemption from the original sin of social irresponsibility, dependent on our endeavour to justify the historical sacrifices involved, by progressing social responsibility in government. At present this is one of the greatest forces latent in the commonwealth to be reflected in the larger empire beyond, and a rationalisation of this force objectively would create a real democratic commonwealth, giving reality to parliamentary control, and dispense with the need to presuppose lack of penetration on the part of empire public opinion.—Yours, etc.. MAIN SEQUENCE. November 10. 1936.