CAUSE OF IMPERIALISM.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 21 October 1914, Page 2

CAUSE OF IMPERIALISM.

EVERY BRITON CAN HELP

Mr ■ J,. R. Eocse, secretary of the Royal Colonial Institute, who is now in New Zealand, brings the following message from Earl Grey (President of the Institutel), who visited ths colonies for his health in the early part of the present year. Tha-message is dated July 17, a fortnight before the present war broke out, aiid is addressed to Mr. Boose, in the form of a letter: "I sincerely hope you may be successful, during your tour through Australasia, in obtaining a large increase in the number of Fellows of the Royal Colonial Institute. Never was there a time in our history when it was more important to supply evidence of a convincing character which will impress the imagination of the whole world, with the determination and ability of Britons to maintain, in the highest possible . state and efficiency, our organisation of Imperial defence. "It. is obvious that, tho and prosperity of Australia a-id the other self governing Dominions, cf India and the Crown Colonies, de^eid upon our being strong enough ; a7id sufficiently prepared to safeguard.-c-vai-r part of our Empire against-the envy, ■ capidi by,., and attack of our foes. "It. would appear that the danger-J ous period of the Empire Avill coincide j with the interval which must elapse between the present time and the fame when the organic union of the Empire will enable it, 'rejoicing in the strength issuing from the full, fair, and free co-operation between the Dominions and the Motherland, to emerge triumphantly from any emergency, however critical ib may be. The pressing problem of the Empire is: What can be done to shorten this period? I would suggest that you should point out tliat it is in the power of every man and woman who is worthy of the name of Briton, to help in the work of shortening1 this -dangerous period by becoming a member of the Colonial Institute, which ! is animated by the ambition to develop j j in Britons in every part of the world an ! individual consciousness of the duties' and responsibilities appertaining to their ' Imperial citizenship. _ "The Royal Colonial Institute is cul. ! livating the soil for the reception of the seed of organic union. Consequent- ■ ly everyone who believes that the future maintenance of the Empire depends upon some.form of organic union between the Motherland and the selfgoverning Dominions, and that our only hope of obtaining that organic union i's to create a sense of Imperial consciousness in the hearts, and minds of Britons all round tho world, will, I feel sure, be only too glad to pay to the Royal Colonial Institute £1 per annum, if y, ou can satisfy them that by so doing they are helping to promote the stability and strength of the Emaire. "Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, in the inspiring speech delivered by him at the Empire Day Demonstration in the- Melbourne Town Hall-,;on- May 23rd last, told .the people of Australia that every worthy Briton ought _. to consider Mm- ; self ths Atlas on .whose individual shoulj i 5. 31-s the burden the Empire rests. I ao not think it would be possible to define in. shorter or more impressive language the ideals of ths Royal Colonial institute." .