Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1938 COLONIAL ISSUES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 29 November 1938, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1938 COLONIAL ISSUES

NEW ZEALAND is directly in terested in the suggested recession of ex-German colonies, because one of them—Western Samoa—is now an integral part of this Dominion. But as the German Government is reported to have renounced its claim to colonial territories which it once owned in the Pacific, for the reason that they were so remote as to be beyond the scope of Germany’s proI tective power, it is not remarkable j to learn that when Mr O. Pirow, i Defence Minister of South Africa, on arriving at Berlin recently broached the subject of Germany’s lost colonial empire, he was informed that the colonial problem is at present of no immediate consequence, provided the Powers recognise the justification of Germany’s claims and her ability to administer colonies properly.” Mr Pirow’s visit has been

strongly criticised in South Africa because it is made “at a time when the whole world is shocked by Germany’s treatment of the Jews.” The argument is that the nation which treats the Jews so badly as they are treated in Germany—and more atrocities are recorded to-day— cannot be trusted to treat African races any better, and there is a natural in- | clination in the British people to protect the native races of South Africa. There is not much doubt that at one time the British attitude towards Germany’s colonial ambitions was one of prospective acquiesence, but the recent persecution of the Jews in Germany has caused tens of thousands of people in England to ask what would be the fate of native African races whose territories might be placed under German control. German publicists have declared that grave difficulties are likely to result, if the subject is prejudiced by South African Miniisters discussing its pros and cons in the international Press. But the matter has become a common topic throughout the civilised world. The argument is that if the Germans’ treatment of Jews is such as to horrify the civilised nations, it would manifestly be wrong to place primitive African races under their control. It is thus that an undoubtedly powerful nation loses its reputation in a world which learns to-morrow the delinquencies of which it has been guilty to-day. The great ones in Germany informed Mr Pirow that the colonial problem is not a very pressing one. It is well that that is so, for there would be strong opposition at the present time if the Germans were to aspire to control the destiny of native races, whose future will depend on the solicitude of the white nations which will be responsible for their future welfare. It is reported that Signor Mussolini has formulated a plan for satisfying Herr Hitler’s demand for colonies “without : interfering with territories in the j South African Union.” The world ! will await with interest the Italian ; Dictator’s solution of a problem j which, unsolved, may disturb the peace of Europe; but where will j he find such territories? In any case, transmarine colonies could hardly be founded by a race ; which loves the sea indifferently : well, as is the case with the Ger- ! mans. A possible solution may be i found in Bismarck’s “drag to- : wards the East” which would j bring the Germans into contact ; with the Russians, but also would j seem to be the desired solution I of Germany’s territorial problem, j It was a relief to read in yester- | day’s cablegrams that the Underj Secretary for the Colonies had | announced that the British GovI ernment “is not contemplating the I transference of any British terri- ; tory;” and it is to be noted that, ; speaking for the British Govern- ! ment, he said that it is unthinkable ! that any of her former colonies ; should be returned to Germany. ; He significantly added, “We can- | not have Africa converted into an | armed camp,” which presents an j aspect of the problem which will | awaken great interest in South I Africa, where Mr Pirow’s self- | appointed mission to Germany is ; not greatly appreciated.