Nelson’s Year

Southland Times, Issue 19553, 6 May 1905, Page 4 (Supplement)

Nelson’s Year

Mr Chamberlain’s article in the Out look on Nelson’s year is a trumpet-caß to national duty. “ This »s Nelson’s year ! Now, if over, it becomes Britons throughout the world to consider wjiat is the nature of that Umpire vdiich Nelson won for us ; what is its worth , what are its obligations ; how it can best bo maintained, and what we ourselves are doing to make it a living force and to prolong its g»ovious traditions. In considering these qiostions we must always bear in mind that tho Empire was won and kept, aud can only be maintained, by sacrifice. :f The reference to sacrifice has been se'zrd upon by Mr Chamberlain’s opponents as evidence that at last ho realises tnot his policy would involve the Mother Country In burdens sho has not now to face. But it is not to the partisan that ho appeals ; it is to the people, though unfortunately he has to reckon wjtn. tho partisan. He bases a strong plea for tho solution of. tho Imperial problem upon commercial and more material lines than thdso n’owi existing. “I do not pretend that commercial union with tho colonies, or the recognition of tho principles that the component parts of an Empire should treat each other more generously than they treat the stranger outside tho gates, would by themselves give lo us oil the organised union that is desired. But I do say that it would be the first step in the desired direction. Preference may lead ultimately to Free Trade in lhe Empire—it is, at least, an advance towards- it.” Commercial union is tho first thing to be achieved:! the rest will follow. That is Mr Chamberlain's message to the Empire in Nelson’s year.—Public Opinion.