Britain and Dominions

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 301, 15 September 1933, Page 13

Britain and Dominions

Sir. —There was nothing in my letter io justify “John Bull’s” reply of September 12. I simply stated that New Zealand should not expect the Old Country to do everything, and that Great Britain could not populate the Dominions, which is a fact. It is also a fact that New Zealand is a self-governing Dominion. Mr. Coates has just stated that New Zealand can “run her own affairs.” I did not say so, or believe it. Neither did I state that New Zealand is able to defend herself, and neither do I consider New Zealand a “paradise for immigrants”—quite the contrary, and so say many more who would leave New Zealand if they had the cash. There is no “fence” round New Zealand. Anyone can come in if they pay their own passage. New Zealand should train troops in proportion to population, and increase the birth-rate if they wish to exist. During the war there were 20,000 married couples childless, and it is probably the same now. As the population of Japan is about 70 million, and that of Great Britain 45, and either stationary or decreasing, a fevr million more would not make New Zealand safe from Japan, who have a large army ready and a strong navy. As to the money New Zealand borrows, it has to lie repaid with interest. —I am, etc.. OLD EMIGRANT. Wellington, September 13,