Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1921. THE BONDS OF EMPIRE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 294, 6 April 1921, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1921. THE BONDS OF EMPIRE.

Towards the close of, Inst month Dr. Ernest Boxer, C.M.G., President of tlie New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Assciation, addressed, on behalf of his association, a letter to the Premier, the keynote of which was the need for tightening the, bonds which bind the colonies and dependencies of Great Britain to the Motherland. With the experience they gained abroad it is but natural that our soldier civilians of today should perceive how essential it ,is that the chain that binds us to the Homeland— forged by the blood and sacrifices of our forbears when they left their native land and sailed out into the void, little knowing what the future held for them, but realising that in their hands was the power to weld another link in the Empire—should be firmly and still more firmly strengthened. Their clarity of vision lias not been dimmed by the victory so dearly won. In all the speeches made during the short session of Parliament there r was not one which can compare with Dr. Boxer's missive to the Premier (a precis of which was published in the "Standard" at the time) in wealth of patriotic expression and in the understanding of at least one important matter which must be achieved at the Imperial Conference, for which Mr Massey leaves in another nine days. To obtain Empire union the Soldiers' Association suggests the need of recasting the British constitution. "While it does not appear that we may dare to rely to any-large extent upon the League of Nations at the present time, wo arb firm believers in a properly constituted League of (British) Nations—that is of the United Khigdom and the self-governing dominions and dependencies. We most earnestly trust that you will use jour utmost to bring this about." In these words Dr. Boxer voices the sentiment of the true loving Briton, be he in England or overseas. While not reflecting on the present League of, Nations—which has yet to demonstrate its practicability, though it may be towards its goal—he desires to sec a League of British Nations which may bo a vital factor in helping to maintain the peace of the world. Dr. Boxer then proceeds to discuss the necessity of altering the constitution to achieve this cud. "The present constitutional position," lie writes, "is full of anomalies and perhaps none so glaring as this—that the Dominions have more cohesion, more machinery for co-operation under the constituted League of Nations, to which we are signatories, both to the League and to one another, than they have among themselves as living members of the Empire. Wo are aware that the constitution ".of the League is recent, and that the present (so-called) constitution of the Empire is relatively !.ancient. That would seem to give greater weight to our own urgent request as men who, in our heart of hearts, fought for the peace of the world; and who will in years to come have to bear the cost of any breakdown of that peace, that some very definite decision ars to constitutional unity be anived at." These are. very fine words,, and for wealth of expression and-clear-sightedness they would do honour to any great writer and to any noted statesman; Dr. Boxer does not presume to sugfiest a scheme; instead, he appeals in eloquent languago. for the

bring if to fruition will be Wg&sJ all loyal and pat no tic New ZgWg If ho succeeds it will bo a wooid ot. which he rilfiy.justly be Boxer's op non it seems no longer 5.7 tfat we should entirely on .the u London, sub ect to the will of the I a.l liamont of the United §«sss& will probably prove that as segg ing dominions we shall have io assist tho financial aspect of the proben ol Imperial Government, and if unci when that takes place the necessity for personal representation at some sovereign Imperial delegation will be a constitutional necessity, for no self-governing people would be willing, to bo taxed unless represented." This is patriotism o* ; a broad nature, but how many or our politicians are, at the present time, prepared to see us increase our contm bution towards the naval defence of the Empire? They stand aghast at any mention of tho subject and are idly content to leave it to the League ot Nations and chance. But, country may vet \havo to thank them for it, the soldiers of yesterday see its vital necessity, along with the other matters so splendidly stressed by tneir leader.