EMPIRE PARTNERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21963, 6 March 1946, Page 6

EMPIRE PARTNERS

CRETE & DODECANESE ADMISSION PROPOSAL MEETINGS OF CITIZENS In an age when i.t is a popular pastime with some foreigners to upbraid Great Britain for having in the past acquired an Empire covering onequarter of the surface of the globe, it is something of a novelty to discover that some torcign communities are in favour of a b'gger British Empire still.

This is not a reference to the Rajah of Sarawak's proposal to incorporate Sarawak in the British Empire, but a comment on recent discussions in Lrete and the Dodecanese Islands regarding the advisability of applying for inclusion of those Mediterranean islands in the British Crown, writes a correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald now in the Middle East. Attitude ol Crete A.t a recent meeting a.t Heraklion, scene of a gallant stand by Australians during the battle for Crete in 1941, it was resolved that if Greece decided to restore the monarchy Crete would demand its independence, and if that was not granted it would apply to Britain for entry into the British Empire.

Traditionally Cretans are staunch republicans, and their island was tiie birthplace of the famous Greek Republican leader. Ver.izelos. They are violently opposed to restoration of the Greek monarchy.

It is well to remember that part of the island was occupied by British troops for some time at the end of the last century. It i,s common to see Cretan children playing a primitive form of cricket derived from the days of British occupation. Movement Not Encouraged Similar proposals for inclusion in the British Empire are being advanced in the Dodecanese Islands, which were occupied by the Germans during the war and which are now administered by a British military government. The British are no.t encouraging the movement, but Army reports admit that the demand is widespread owing to fear that the islands will be_ handed .to the Turks, or possibly to .the Russians though the more general opinion is that they will be handed back to Greece in midsummer.