JELLICOE’S TRIBUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1926, Page 15

JELLICOE’S TRIBUTE.

LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND. AN “EDUCATED DEMOCRACY.” SAFEGUARD AGAINST EXTREMISM. London, Sept. 9. Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Jellicoe, has written an introduction to “England and New Zealand, From Tasman to the Taranaki War,” by Mr. A. J. Harrop, Ph.D. (Cantab), M.A. (N-Z.), sometime scholar in history, University of New Zealand, now published by Messrs. Methuen. Our former Governor-General once more places on record his admiration of the Dominion in which lie and his family so greatly enjoyed a life, which, in spite of official routine, they contrived to savour with surpassing gusto—itself a tribute *to the endearing qualities of New Zealand. The introduction is partly an appeal to the Old Country to take a deeper interest in Dominion affairs, and partly a recital of the conditions in New Zealand which Lord Jellicoe found commendable. He says: At a time when the position of the Dominions in connection with the foreign policy of the Empire is much under discussion, it is particularly appropriate to recall the history of the relatitons between Great Britain and New Zealand in the early days of' the settlement of the Dominion. This question is discussed in Dr. Harrop’s books, which deal also with the early history of New Zealand in full detail. FORCED TO TAKE ACTIONAs is well known, New Zealand became a portion of the British Empire in spite of, rather than with the assistance of, the Home Government, although for years before the decision was actually reached very strong moral obligations lay upon the British Government to intervene in New Zealand in order to take action to put a stop to outrages committed by some of the lawless white settlers of early days. The objections of the Home Government were based to some extent on the knowledge that the presence of British troops would be necessary in New Zealand to afford protection to the white settlers as well as to protect the natives against lawless elements amongst these settlers, were New Zealand to become a portion of the Empire, and there was a reluctance to undertake this obligation. It was not until the hands of the Government were forced by the action of the New Zealand Company, under the guidance of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, that the. action was eventually taken, which resulted in New Zealand coming under the British Crown. “The methods of colonisation adopted by the company, and the high ideals animating the directors, were based upon the desire to introduce into the colony men and women who, in their persons, would continue the traditions, and the institutions which existed in the Mother Country. They were not considering colonisation so much from the commercial standpoint as from a desire to see New Zealand settled by a people who would be worthy and fitting founders of a new and virile community.” DOMINION’S RECENT NEEDS. As for his impressions of the Dominion, Lord Jellicoe lays great stress on its democratic character, and gives what he considers the most praiseworthy characteristic. “But owing to the educational system, the Dominion is peopled by an educated democracy, and herein lies one of its principal safeguards against the support of extremist doctrines put forward by these who desire to make rapid changes in the present order of things, but who find it difficult to convince an educated population that they have any practical method of effecting this sudden change without bringing hardship and ruin on the community.” Lord Jellicoe notes the increasing importance of the Dominion’s secondary industries, its marvellous development and its high financial credit, and concludes that its needs now are “emigration on a considerable scale; a drop in land values, and an increase in small holdings.” Here is the note on which the introduction closes:— “Finally, no one can remain in the Dominion for any length of time without feeling certain that the people, with the grit and energy with distinguish them, will overcome in the future as in the past, any diffculties they may be called upon face, and that they will emerge triumphant.”