The Timaru Herald THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1909. THE IMPERIAL BURDEN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13920, 3 June 1909, Page 4

The Timaru Herald THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1909. THE IMPERIAL BURDEN.

A curious picture appears in this week's " Weekly Press," an artistic manufactured group of Native Races of the British Empire. If variety is charming, tliis is a charming picture, for in feature, form and costume there is marvellous variety in it. Some of the costumes will raise a smile, in other cases there is very little costume to smile at. From another attitude of mind it is a picture to arouse most serious thought. The seventy odd figures of men and women represent not only so many varieties of British subjects, but also as mauy varieties of British responsibilities. It may be. claimed, as it is claimed, that the influence of British rule over each" and all of 'these- peoples has been an influence for good; that they have each and all been benefited, uplifted by it. The figures are drawn so as to represent their original savage or barbarous condition, in'the case of peoples whoso condition could bo so described when the British flag was first flown over their heads. An Empire Day picture of this sort should have beside each representation of the past a. companion representation of the present state of the same peoples, to give some indication of what the Britis influence has really meant for them. It would not be just to make.up. a composite figure representing an average in each case. It would not be unjust to select for the composition the best; for the highest example of the uplift of rt race offers itself as an example to, and as a standard of possible attainment by all his or her fellows. From this point of view New Zealand would have no reason to be ashamed of the contrast that woukl be seen in the comparative pair suggested. If some Maoris are still little removed from their primitive condition, at all events many have been uplifted, made now men entirely; and the examine of these is a perpetual magnetic forco drawing up the whole race into a higher life. The New Zealand Britisher who recognises this, when looking upon this curious picture with its medley of savage simplicity and barbaric decoration, must hope that equally good work is being done amongst other peoples than the Maoris, as the justification of the British rule over them. Unfortunately, in many cases the conditions have not been so favourable to the achievement of similar success; in some cases the allowed for tho desired transformations has not yet been long enough. But this reflection is possible of application in all cases: that as British influence has justified itself in New Zealand, so within the limits of its possibility it has probably done the same elsewhere.