Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1941. ENLARGING THE EMPIRE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1941, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1941. ENLARGING THE EMPIRE.

piRST win the war before devising plans what next to do, is the general public’s attitude, but remembering the blunders in the Versailles Peace Treaty, owing to lack of thought and preparation, high circles in Britain are already discussing reconstruction schemes, and how best to bring the nations together, to minimise the chance of another great war, and to help all to recover from the ravages of the present struggle. Some of the suggestions will arouse controversy, a typical example being that made by Dr. AV. R. Matthews, Dean of St. Paul’s, who recently said he believed that when we had won the war we should be compelled to hold down Europe for a considerable time by force of arms. We would be compelled to enlarge the Briigifh Empire, possibly under a different name. He wa,s convinced that there were countries which would come into the Empire provided they could be assured that, if they were parts of it, it would be defended.

Such a merger might be Empire, but it would not be British, thus would lack the ties that bind together the partners in the present

British Empire. The question is not one for Britain alone to decide. ( All the Overseas Dominions have an equal say in the matter, and it is fairly certain that these would not be enthusiastic about taking any Tom, Dick and Harry nation into the family circle. The difficulties and responsibilities would be tremendous, coming at a time when the Empire will need all its energies and resources for its own commercial resurrection. The history of the League of Nations demonstrated that unity is difficult to achieve, particularly at times when unity has most value. The British merger proposal would not be accepted as disinterested, and the old gibe of territory-grabbing would be revived. Germany’s “new order” claims to have similar ideals, except that a German Empire is to be formed. Moreover, little evidence has been submitted that Continental nations wish to join the Empire, if prepared to be defended by it, at no cost to themselves. Most countries desire to preserve their entire freedom and own method of government. They are not so fond of the British as to wish to have the latter as their supervisors, and they realise that in any enlarged British Empire, the controlling • voices would not be theirs. Reflection suggests that Dean Matthews’ proposal is impracticable, yet the idea has influential supporters in Britain. It must not be forgotten . that as France was collapsing, Mr. . Churchill offered to take France into the Empire, with the one King, Parliament and constitution. France was then in too desperate a position to consider the offer, but the fact that it was made by no less a personage than the British Prime Minister, was significant. There will be general desire Overseas to assist in. restoring and strengthening international friendly relations, after the war, and to cooperate in commercial, reconstruction and social welfare schemes. That should be the limit, and any attempt to induce European nations to join the Empire, either as partners or wards, should, be opposed at the outset by Overseas Governments, as it will probably be by public opinion in Britain.