Defence of Empire

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 57, 30 November 1934, Page 13

Defence of Empire

Sir, —To-day’s news states that the Italian Government has received a request from Tokio to abrogate the naval treaty. Although Italy has not yet fallen in with the Japanese view, it is not .to say that she does not sympathise with Japan’s aims. This I pointed out some time bath in your columns. In the event of trouble in the Pacific, Italy might conceivably have something to say as to which route a British fleet could .reach the Pacific and also in what condition. Italy, like Japan, is longing for a colonial empire. Her statesmen have repeatedly iterated and reiterated this fact and she is only awaiting th e . opportune moment to enforce this doetnne. Both these nations are overcrowded and will, of tburse, play up for the sympathy ot other nations who have no overseas colonies to lose. Wc also get the further news item that America will not sanction the naval equality of Japan. This points to a naval armaments race or war. Where will Britain and her colonies come m then. Sink to a third-rate naval Power or feverishly build? . If the latter,, will these Pacific self-governing Dominions bear their just portion of the cost., lhese are problems that every person in the Kmpire should give thought to; this is where our lack of population will show up our weakness, both as a lever to be used.by other peoples more crowded than ourselves to obtain sympathy, and also as a means of defending ourselves or paym» our just share of the cost for Britain do .sb. So Once more I repeat, distribution of the people of the Empire is th only way to. retain Empire integrity. — 1 am ’ etC “ JOHN BULL. Wellington, November 29. a — ——■