VOICE OF THE EMPIRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22628, 20 July 1935, Page 25

VOICE OF THE EMPIRE

HALF-EMPTY DOMINIONS DIFFICULT ECONOMIC PROBLEMS ♦ (From Our Own Correspondent.) (By Air Mail) LONDON, June 29. Mr Malcolm. MacDonald, M.P., Secretary for the Colonies, hg,s made his report on his visit to Australia as a delegate of the 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 the British dominions. “ One goes to those British countries on the other side of the world and realises that they are half empty,” says Mr MacDonald. He declares that if, in the course of years, Britain is surrounded by a group, not only of loyal, but also of powerful dominions, whose statesmen speak for the large populations settled all around the earth, then the 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 the world. He thinks that British boys would enjoy good prospects if they went out to where vacancies were admitted to exist.

“My chief impression after revisiting Australia and New Zealand,” Mr MacDonald 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 be allowed to develop.”

A GREATER WHITE POPULATION,

Lord Liverpool spoke at Shrewsbury School speech day of the needs of the domihions. 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 casting very jealous eyes on those parts over which the British flag flew when they saw how uuder,populated those regions wore. The training of the great public schools of Groat Britain fitted them for leadership, and he hoped they would never lose the chance to do something on behalf of our great Empire. He spoke particularly to those who were still doubtful as to what profession to take up, and said he was sure tho spirit which animated those who built up our Empire would not be wanting in keeping the flag flying. Lord Bledisloe (chairman of the school governors) reinforced Lord Liverpool’s message.