VOICE OF THE EMPIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22165, 19 July 1935, Page 15

VOICE OF THE EMPIRE

DOMINIONS' PROBLEMS HOPES OF DEVELOPMENT "CLAIM MUST BE CONCEDED" [from our own correspondent] By Air Mail LONDON, June 29 Mr. Malcolm MncDonald, M.P., Secretary for the Colonics, has made his report on his visit to Australia as a delegate of tho United Kingdom branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association for the Centenary celebrations of Victoria. His principal conclusion is that Britain's future power in the world depends upon whether she can increase the populations of tho British Dominions.

"One goes to those British countries on the other side of the world V and realises that they are half empty," says Mr. Mac Donald. He says that if, in the course of years, Britain is surrounded by a group, not .Only of loyal, but also of powerful Dominions, whoso statesmen speak for the large populations settled all around the earth, then tho causes and the principles for which the British peoples stand will bid fair not only to hold their own, but to dominate again the affairs of tho world. He thinks that British boys would enjoy good prospects if they went to where vacancies were admitted to exist.

"My chief impression after revisiting Australia and New Zealand," Mr. Mac Donald says, "is that we have got many rather difficult economic problems to settle with those Dominions. We are going to have a very 'sticky' time with them during the next few years. Surely we must concede their main claim, that they should bo allowed to develop." The Earl of Liverpool spoke at Shrewsbury School speech day of the needs of the Dominions. He said that the one call which echoed from all the great Dominions was the need for a greater ' white population. The great problem was how to settle the vast regions, so sparsely populated at present. Other nations besides who wanted to help their surplus populations were Pasting very jealous eyes on those parts over which the British flag flew when they saw how under-populated those regions were. The training of the great public schools of Great Britain fitted them for leadership, and he hoped they would never lose the chance to do something on behalf of the Empire. Viscount Bledisloe, chairman of the school governors, endorsed Lord Liverpool's message.

ORDER OF ST. JOHN STRIKING CEREMONY COLONEL SLEEMAN'S MISSION [from our own correspondent] By Air Mail LONDON. Juno 29 There was a very large gathering at St. John's Gate for the annual ser- , vice of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in the Priory jChurch. This was also the occasion of the Duke of Connaught's Silver Jubilee as Grand Prior. In the ecclesiastical procession, tho Archbishop of Canterbury, wearing the magnificent processional cope of the Order, and a mitre, was preceded by the splendid primatial cross of his province. Colonel J. L. Sleeman, Chief Commissioner, St. John Ambulance Brigade Oversea, was also present. At the General Assembly the Grand Prior expressed gieat satisfaction at the marked increase in the work and activities of the Order, and in the numbers of the St. John Ambulanco Brigade, which had done such good service throughout the King's Dominions during the Jubilee ceremonies in all parts of the Empire on the one hand, and at Quetta after the earthquake on the other. The Grand Prior also referred to the impending departure of Colonel Sleeman for the purpose of holding visitations in the Recently-formed commanderies in Southern Africa and New Zealand. Viscount and Viscountess Bledisloe attended the service.

ALSATIAN DOGS p REDUCTION IN VALUE LESS DEMAND IN QUEENSLAND Brisbane authorities on Alsatian dogs state that they agree with Mr. G. W. Ross, of Kogarah, New South Wales, who, at the recent annual championship show of the Ladies' Kennel Association of Queensland, said that Alsatians had "gone off" in Queensland. This, it is stated, is due to lack of demand, following the campaign against this breed, and the fact that many owners were anxious to get rid of them.

At present it is possible to buy Alsatians at £1 Is each. At one time the dogs were worth anything,, up to £SO.