THE UNION OF EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16903, 16 July 1918, Page 4

THE UNION OF EMPIRE.

The admission of the Dominions into full partnership in Empire affairs is now so commonly accepted as to be taken for granted, but the explicit assurances given in Mr. Lloyd George's latest speech are nevertheless gratifying. He admits not only the right of the Dominions to be heard on the terms of peace, but on all aspects of British foreign policy in future which may affect them. This is a generous recognition of the status of the Dominions, but it is one which had become inevitable. The principle, " no taxation without representation," is one of the corner-stones of the British Constitution and has never been successfully challenged, but the Dominions not only taxed themselves for a war declared by a Government on which they had no representation, but have given cheerfully both men and material. None of the Dominions demurred, because all were in agreement with the British Government on the origin and objects of the war. It is extremely probable, since Britain will never wage war except in defence of interests which are shared by the Dominions, that a similar crisis would produce a similar result, but it would be poor statesmanship to leave the future to chance. The case for the admission of the Dominions into the inner councils of the Empire was complete when they identified themselves with the British cause in 1914, and the war has opened a direct path to an Empire union which in 1914 appeared to be approachable only by the tortuous byways of a constitutional controversy. The danger in 1914 was that the forms of union might be in advance of the feelings of unity. Now the danger is that forms may lag behind the spirit of kinship. The spiritual union of the Empire has been accom- j

plished and is confirmed by every battle in which New Zealanders, Australians, Canadians, and South Africans stand shoulder to shoulder with English, Scottish, and Irish divisions. The task which is now set statesmanship is to translate this union of hearts into political terms which shall be at once oonvenient and adequate. On their success will depend not only the welfare of the Empire, but also something of the world's progress. In accepting responsibility for sharing British foreign policy the Dominions assumed a new relationship to foreign countries. Their isolation has gone for ever, shed like an outgrown garment of childhood, and they have taken a place in world affairs which would ultimately have been forced on them.' Isolation is not possible in the modern world of cables and steamships. Britain found that detachment from European politics was impracticable, and America, after making a fetish of isolation, was forced to abandon the role. It is a fortunate circumstance that the Dominions are able to enter the arena at the time when the great Englishspeaking republic has joined the alliance of nations standing for justice and honour, and when the prospect is bright for a new era in which right, not force, shall be the test of a people's conduct.