DOMINION DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21297, 26 September 1932, Page 11

DOMINION DAY

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY HIGHER EMPIRE STATUS EARLY HOSTILITY RECALLED New Zealand to-day atttains the "silver jubilee" of its elevation from the status of a self-governing colony to that of a Dominion. The Proclamation of the change was made on September 26, 1907, and although it has been customary to celebrate Dominion Day on the Monday nearest to thai/ date in each year, September 26 and a Monday this year coincide. To day will not be observed as a general holiday, but the banks, Stock Exchange, Supremo Court and a number of professional offices will bo closed. The present generation of New Zealandeis takes Dominion status as a matter of course, proud of the honour it confers upon their country and accustomed to employ the term naturally in their daily conversation. So freely recognised has it become in Imperial and world politics that it is difficult to appreciate the indifference and even hostility that greeted its first announcement. The late Sir Joseph Ward who, as Premier, obtained the British Government's consent to the change when visiting England, in 1907, and who earnestly advocated the change in Parliament, ran the gauntlet of abuse and was openly accused in the House of- introducing the measure merely to satisfy personal vanity. Perseverance Rewarded With the full realisation, however, of the importance and value of his aims, Sir Joseph pursued the proposal with Anabated energy. He urged that New Zealand, by reason of its position and growing importance, had well outgrown the colonial stago and was ag much entitled to a separate designation as the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of Canada. Sir Joseph's enthusiasm, which at first was not favourably regarded in high quarters, at last bore fruit. New Zealand was informed that, as soon as Its Legislature approved the course, the King would give effect to the proposal by issuing an Order-in-Council and 'Proclamation declaring New Zealand a Dominion. Sir Joseph returned to New Zealand on June 26, 1907, the day before the opening of Parliament. The proposal did not create much enthusiasm among some members of the House, but a few weeks later the resolution was moved requesting the British Government to make the change. Storm o! Criticism A storm immediately arose. Members rose in the House and accused Sir Joseph Ward of hankering after the title of Prime Minister instead of Premier. The word "colonial" was greatly treasured by people in those days, in spite of the assertion by "Dominion" supporters that, in the minds of English people, a colony was a place to which undesirable persons were sent. The stigma was hotly resented and the reverberations were felt far beyond the walls of Parliament. The resolution ultimately was cai-ried by the House by 50 votes to 15. With the change in status the Premier became Prime Minister, the Colonial Treasurer assumed the designation of Minister of Finance, and the Colonial Secretary that of Minister of Internal Affairs. The long-familiar letters M.H.R., signifying "Member of the House of Representatives," were changed to M.P. The change in the Governor's designation to that of "Governor-General", did not take place until 1917, when it was made in "recognition of the services rendered by New Zealand since the outbreak of the war." A stirring expression of the significance attached to Dominion Day was uttered by Sir Joseph Ward in a message to the people when the change was made, loday your island home attains the prouder title of Dominion," he said, '"lllis guerdons not alone the faithful effoits of the living, but still more the strenuous, courageous lives of many of our noble pioneers and colonists now at rest. . . . Let us be justly proud of the place we take to-day in the role of the Kings Dominions, but let us make this an incentive to something higher still—a true dominion in the head and heart of our own people." .