A PATRIOTIC PROJECT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4564, 16 January 1902, Page 4

A PATRIOTIC PROJECT.

The Premier was perfectly right when he declared the other evening that it would be utterly un-British to carry out the suggested “boycott” of German goods, by way of retaliation for the insulting matter published in certain newspapers of the Fatherland, and either tacitly approved or inadequately censured in official circles. While discountenancing such tactics, Sir Seddon was perfectly logical, loyal and convincing, when he came to deal with the proposal to increase the solidarity of the British Empire by establishing a system of reciprocal tariffs, giving preference to Imperial products and manufactures. This policy would not be one of revepge, levelled against any particular nation, but would be one of British combination against the world, and would be the commercial complement of that “splendid isolation” which, politically, has made Britain respected among the nations of earth. Parliament not being in session, Mr Seddon was not able, like Mr Barton, to table a resolution protesting against the vile calumnies levelled at the brave and honourable troops of the Empire. The Premier of the Commonwealth has, it may be remarked, made ample amends for the dilatoriness of his Government on a late occasion, and has vindicated the claim of the Australian!, to be as

patriotic as British subjects in any other part of the world. The Hon. Goo. Reid, leader of the Opposition, has likewise done the right thing, by ignoring all minor differences and seconding the resolution of the head of the Commonwealth Government. These things are refreshing, and they are of Imperial moment. Our Premier, being debarred by circumstances from obtaining the same representative expression, of opinion, has lost no time in giving forth his own views, and that with no uncertain sound. To strengthen his position, public meetings ought to be held in every city of New Zealand, to pass resolutions of protest against the insults offered to our army, to the ruler of the Empire, and to the colonies that have come into line with the Empire. In this matter the British people should speak with one united voice, and that promptly. Those Wellington citizens who have taken the initiative in the matter are, with his Worship the Mayor, to bo warmly commended for their action in having a public mooting called for tomorrow (Friday) afternoon, at the Theatre Royal, “to pass resolutions, upholding the fictions of the Home Government in reference to South Africa.” There can be no doubt of a largo and patriotic gathering taking place on this occasion. It is to be hoped that no attempt will be allowed to divert the meeting into the alluring by-ways of a “boycott” discussion. A sober and dignified resolution on the lines of that laid before the Commonwealth Parliament is all that is necessary to repel calumnies and uphold the loyal devotion of the people of this city. If anything further is proposed, it should be in the direction of affirming the principle that, owing to the refusal of other nations to adopt free-trade or to enter into equitable relations of tariff reciprocity with the different parts of the British Empire, it is desirable to establish an Imperial Customs Union, with discrimination against the world. The time is most opportune for emphasising the great fact that the Empire stands united in everything.