AUSTRALIAN REPUBLICANS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3297, 16 August 1911, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN REPUBLICANS.

STRONGHOLD OF EUROPEAN WHITES. NO GUTTING OF THE PAINTER- - YET. It will he news to most people to learn that there is such an organisation in existence as the Australian White Republic League, with members in' all the States. The president (Mr. Bernard Ingleby), a comparatively young man, engaged in business in Sydney, the other day told a “Sun” reporter all about it. . . “Our first contention,” he said, “is that the term ‘Commonwealth 5 for Australia is a misnomer, for the reason that where there is a hereditary head there can be no Commonwealth.” A WHITE CONFEDERATION.

“We . think that Australia, with its geographical situation, is eminently suited for a confederation of the whiteraces. The feudal traditions of Europeans in their home countries make an harmonious blending of race ideals in those countries quite impossible, but here, in Australia, separated as we are from national feuds and prejudices, there is every -opportunity for such a highly desirable consummation. “In Australia to-day we are wisely thinking of economics, and are shaping our legislative policy to our own ends. In the old world several attempts have been made to establish Republicanism. There is the modern instance of France. But so handicapped was she by feudal traditions and so colossal was the tasK of -destroying and building that the French Republic to-day differs but) slightly from the neighboring monarchial nations. Then there is Portugal, which just recntly proclaimed a republic. But it is probable that she, too, will suffer from the same handicap as France, and will also feel her environment a serious obstacle to the full attainment of her ideals. “It was in America that Republicanism might have taken root and flourished. but America made the initial mistake of not putting her economic house •vi order, and, handicapped -by a- racial problem foisted on her by Great Britain,; she has sold her nationhood to wealthy factions, against which she will have to industriously revolt before she can appear in the van of the White Brotherhood movement. We, in Australia, hai-p learned and profited from <\niorica. We recognise that birth and wan Itß must- count for nought in shaping the ideals of our country. We recognise the right of manhood- as the only enduring base upon, which to build up a true republic, extending—by race necessity—that right only to white men whose sympathies and ideas are in common. , LET THEM ALL COME. “To ou” \Vh'te Republic we will welcome men and women of every white race. To them w-e will extend the same rights of citizenship as we enjoy. They will come to us as to their own, not as strangers, but as brothers and sisters. British, French, Scandinavian. Spanish, Italian —these distinctions should have no meaning to us. They are of interest

only in that they carry, with them indications of national* traits and tastes which will become merged into the big character of the Australian. The real menace that confronts them all, namely, that of the Asiatic, they will deal with here in Australia, should necessity arise—not, mind you, as faction nations,, but as Australians intent upon upholding Australia as the Stronghold of the White Race. “This is visionary mouthing. The nucleus of such a White Republic is with us here and now. The German settlers around Hahndorf and Angaston in South Australia, the Italians in the timber forests of West Australia, ■ the European peoples of - every nationality scattered throughout our continent, I knowi from personal contact yield to none in their patriotism, in their Australian outlook'. And we think it is quite unfair that Europeans, other than British, should, on arriving in Australia, have to forego their original nationality and become naturalised British citizons It should suffice that they became Australians and shared in the outlook of their fellows, Australian and British,. CLIMATE AND THE AUSTRALIAN TYPE. “Really, a blending of the Latin and Anglo-Saxon types is necessary in a country with the cliipate and conditions of Australia. No student of the Australian type can fail to observe that it is developing from the conservative reticence of the British to something more nearly approaching the temperament of the French and Italian, and-, in encou-. raging this tendency, we are only working along the lines of Nature. It might, and probably will, be wise for ns at the outset to limit the too rapid immigration into Australia of any one European nationality. Where there is a tendency for each group to become self-centred and merely to transplant their old world prejudices to the new land. Our aim should be to admit them only in such numbers as will allow of their assimilation into the general body of Australians and of their sharing our national sentiment and ideal.

NO DISLOYALTY TO BRITAIN. “It will be objected to this movement for an Australian White Republic that it displays a lack of loyalty to England. It will be assumed that we desire to ‘cut the painter.’ Such, however, is not our idea at all. On the contrary, recognising that to-day and perhaps for many years to come Australia would be powerless to resist a Mongolian invasion, our aim is so to link her destiny with all the white nations of Europe that when that menace becomes serious we could pit against it, not only the British, but all the other nationalities of Europe. BRITAIN A DANGEROUS ALLY. “To-day, Britain, owing to the policy of her rulers, is really the most dangerous ally Australia could have. Uur connection with her, and with her alone, may any day embroil ns in international troubles that are not of our n aking and with which we have no concern. Tlie ideals of the Australian ior a white race are exactly contrary to British practices. The last Board of Trade return* showed to what an in-tva-dug extent white seamen in her raOicaL tile maiine have been replaced by die cheaper colored races. The ivis.uy-conceived White Ocean policy of the Australian Labor Party is flouted m England, and it is therefore difficult to see how Britain can consistently support us in our ideal of a White Nationhood. PEACE IN UNIFICATION.

“As to Australia’s internal affairs, tin: IK)!icy of the League is comprehended ir the platform of the Federal Labor Party, except as regards Labor’s programme of militarism. With that we do not concur, because were our scheme for a united white race actually in practice in Australia, we would only have the one menace to deal with, and European faction fights, such as that now threatening in connection with the Moroccan question, would not have to bo considered. ‘ ‘To-day our League is doing active propaganda work, not only throughout Australia, but in France, Germany, Italy, and Denmark, each country being dealt with by those of its own people who are with us. We are no wildeyed enthusiasts. We are simply working in a cause in which we believe, and though we recognise that any immediof to-day. Our members, I may menly, we are confident that the Australian sentiment will, perhaps 10, perhaps 50, years hence coincide with ours of to-day. Our members, I may mention, include some of the brightest literary and artistic workers in Australia.” •