Nelson Evening Mail FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, .1936 THE RIGHT TO COLONIAL EXPANSION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 10 January 1936, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, .1936 THE RIGHT TO COLONIAL EXPANSION

CABLEGRAMS, recently received from London, indicate the possibility of a concerted movement by Germany, Italy, and Japan to raise with Britain the question of their right to colonial expansion, presumably at the expense of the British Empire. Apparently this movement began in Italy, and may be recognised as her reply to the disapproval expressed in Britain of her war of conquest in Abyssinia. Japan does not disguise her desire of expansion towards the south, and an influential Japanese journal has expressed the opinion that, in her development in the direction mentioned, she may come into conflict with Britain; the inference being that Japan may seek in Australia the territory needed to accommodate her surplus population. At the same time it is expected that “Germany will press her claim for colonies gently, tactfully but firmly,” with a view to receiving such territorial concessions in Africa as may restore her status as a colonising Power. At the same time Japan’s Foreign Office Spokesman has raised the question of “the light of entry of Japanese merchants into British territories,” and has drawn attention especially to “Australian restrictions on Japanese wool-buy-ers.” In fact there seems to be a tendency on the part of Japan to dictate to Britain in relation to certain minor matters connected with the internal working of the Empire, because there appears to exist in Japan an impression that in a military and industrial sense Britain is becoming effete, and is unable to develop her vast colonial territories. It must be understood that this movement to acquire territory at the British Empire’s expense by the three nations referred to, is unofficial, and does not emanate from the Governments of the three countries which have been named. Moreover, it is to be noted that this idea that colonial expansion may take place at Britain's expense, emanates from two nations which have, left the League of .Nations, and from a nation which has piuctically ceased' to be a member of Lhaf body, whose Covenant it has broken. In other words, while Britain is strenuously striving to maintain the League as the supreme authority which shall settle international disputes and frame policies for the maintenance of friendly relations between the nations, three nations which arc outside the League appear to have formulated plans for relieving their land j l unger at Britain’s expense, primarily j with her consent and approval, but in ' Riiy case at her expense. Apparently j Japan lias directed her attention towards Australia. Germany and Italy probably ; have set their eyes on Britain’s vast African possessions, particularly on such territories as were taken from Germany during the Great War by British and • South African forces. It must not be J j

thought that any attempt will be made j to wrest territory from Britain at the present time: the method of procedure by Germany and Italy is more likely to be by negotiation, perhaps with the assistance of the League. If Japan’s movement towards the south is persisted in, it must invariably bring her into contact with Australia, and perhaps with New Zealand. The timely construction of the naval base at Singapore gives the British Navy the power to act if necessary in a highly strategic manner, if there should arise the necessity to protect British interests in the Western Pacific. At the same time attention should bn given to one or two important matters without delay. New Zealand and Australia must increase their populations by immigration from Great Britain. The British Navy must be enlarged, so soon as existing restrictive treaties expire, and the navy must become the Empire’s navy in fact as well as in name, and be maintained by the Empire as a whole.