AN IMPERIAL FOREIGN POLICY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume III, Issue 11, 24 December 1912, Page 4

AN IMPERIAL FOREIGN POLICY

The rayiid growth of the Imperial sentiment and the cordial, if not altogether spontaneous, recognition by. Britain of the claims of its oversea Dominions to some voice in its councils find no stronger evidence than the piomiuent place afforded to them in the fields of responsible journalism in the Old Country. It is both gratifying and encouraging to find an .almost unanimous acceptance of the principle of co-operation in defence and more intimate political relations which received definite expression in the communication made b.v the Admiralty to Canada and (Australia on the subject of naval I defence. The November number of the “Fortnightly Review” contains [an article which fairly presents the i attitude adopted by British statesmen and the motives and considerations which have prompted them. The writer deals more especially with Hie subject in its bearing on the development of a I'cw Imperial Foreign Policy under the influences which promise to follow naturally from colonial participation in Imperial defence and in the discussion of its control. A brief review is given ci the growth and changes of Britain's policy with regard to European nations. with more lengthy reference ■ to the position assumed by her dur- ' ing later years. Ibis latter has I varied from the policy of t he so- ' called isolation in 1555 to the present [entente with France and Russia. It is Lhewn that this understanding. [ somewhat indefinite in its origin and i development, has already brought ; Britain more than once to the verge [of actual war arising from matter:-, i of dispute in which she had and i could have no national interest. It [is therefore suggested that any- alli'i anee with a European nation or [group of nations is a source rather of [ w.- tkae.-s than of strength, and that 'British interests will be best served ■l>v her standing aloof from all international complications which do not I clearly affect her territory, com-

. merce or honour. The introduction I ii! the new element of responsibility i on the part of the Dominions to bear ■ a fair share of the burden of defence ■ s advanced as a fresh argument in jtavoar of this future policy, for it is w-ogently reasoned that, if they are to I’.e consulted, they must naturally , object to being drawn into coniribu- !: ion. whether in mon or money. to lighting the causes of alien nations. The duty of Great Britain is seen to ! He. not in an attempt to regulate nr influence the actions of her European | neighbours, but in “securing, conb -ilidatiiig and developing the workli ootninion of which she constitutes is.: once the political centre and the ; European outwork.’' The article i concludes with a suggestion that the ! Imperial Committee of Defence may l:;t time come to be supplemented by :an Imperial Committee of Foreign ■ Affairs, in whose deliberations also I imprest nt atives of the Dominions ! would have opportunity of placing ! before the Imperial executive their p. sows as to foreign relations. In the I meantime both these committees | must be merely advisory, but execu■tive authority in the not very far I future is regarded as quite a possii Lility. .