Colonial Empire Sole Responsibility of Britain

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 56, 8 March 1943, Page 5

Colonial Empire Sole Responsibility of Britain

RUGBY, Mar. 5. Dealing with, the future of British colonies in a speech to the Oxford Conservative Association, the new Colonial Secretary, Colonel Oliver Stanley put three questions, first: What sort of Colonial Empire is it? Secondly: What do we want it to be? Thirdly; What must we do about it? Tho Colonial Empire was one of infinity variety, he said, and, consequently, it was impossible to find a common yardstick for its numerous territories. Britain has established safety of life and property in areas where it had never been known before. Standards had been set up which, if they coulo be maintained in the changing conditions of the world, would be of lasting benefit. Britain had also undertaken the task of preventing exploitation ana regulating production so that a fair reward was provided for enterprise and a substantial benefit to a colony.

Lastly, they had set themselves to devote the income of a colony to its own benefit. Examples of good communica. tions, services, research, education, ano other valuable assets were to be seen everywhere. The ultimate aim was to see the establishment of self-Govorn* ment, but that could not be a gift. Some colonies were practising to a greater or lesser extent self-Governmeni already and nothing but a short stage lay between them and real self-govern-ment. The advance of others must necessarily be slow. Colonel Stanley said that he was convinced that tho administration qf colonies must remain the sole responsibility of Britain. Ho did not believe it would be of advantage for a colony or a group of eolonies to 'be administered by an international body. He could think ol nothing more likely to break down the steady development of colonies than that. The administration of colonies entailed financial and economic aid, ana, if Britain alone was prepared to give that aid, Britain alone was in the position to exercise control. He also believed that the suggestion of international administration ignored the real feelings of the peoples of the* territories concerned.

Colonel Stanley, however, made it clear that international co-operation would be welcomed. He also stressed the view that colonies should be peoplea by good Africans, Malayans, etc., ana not by imitation Englishmen.