BRITONS v. COLONIALS.

Northern Advocate, 17 November 1919, Page 3

BRITONS v. COLONIALS.

WHERE IS THE ADVANTAGE?

SOME BRITISH PRESS QUERIES.

The Manchester Guardian, discussing the victory of Alfred Felton in the world's sculling championship, "fears the sad truth that in professional and amateur sport of any kind which the Australians and New Zcalanders take up, they have some advantage over Englishmen. The records of sport confirm the impressions of the extraordinary physical excellence and high vitality of the Australian,troops in the war. We must liud out what is the mutter in order to rectify it." The Manchester Guardian's opinions will be read with surprise by many Australians who take up their English newspapers, only to find in so many that the achievements of Australians and New Zcalanders in sport are minimised, and their point of view ignored or ridiculed. We do not know that there is anything the matter (says the Referee). But if there is, might it not be that John Bull is less disposed than the younger branch of The Finn to discard tradition and convention when healthy progress calls for their discard? We have not the social castes in the younger countries—not so pronounced as they arc in England—and this leaves the goal open for the fittest, be he the son of the cobbler or of the earl. Our Australian soldiers were an entirely volunteer army. And men who have fought and won distinction on the battlefield tell us that the average Australian and New Zealand soldier was better educated than his prototpye in tho English Army. This, it is contended, led to his making much better use of his brains in any position in which he found himself. Australia and New Zealand are developing types who, while British to the core, are distinct from the Englishman, Irishman, or Scotchman. They may gradually become distinct oiio from the other. Climate, environment, and open-air life, with its sunshine, are the groat factors in building up a frosh typo of Britisher in the southern lands of the Empire. But these countries are more democratic than the old. The men and the women who work hard for iheir crust are free in every sense, and proud of their freedom. They have relatively easy hours and relatively good pay, with the time and the money to get some of the honey from life. Strikes and other ills will become less as years roll by. The Australian is gradually learning that he must send into Parliament only mon id nigh principles, determined to do their best for the coun--1 try and the people, from the humblest ■ to" the highest, while always recognis- ! ing that a healthy and happy nation is > that in which the interests of the peoi pie who toil are vital to national progress and soundness.