Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1938. THE FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 December 1938, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1938. THE FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE.

A STATEMENT in the House of Commons by the Dominions • Secretary (Mr Malcolm MacDonald) on the subject of overseas settlement and’development, reported in one of yesterday s cablegrams, was remarkable for the clear grasp it exhibited of the realities of the situation and the possibilities it holds. The statement no doubt will be welcomed cordially in this country and in other parts of the Empire.

In accepting a motion by a private member calling upon the British Government, in conjunction with the Dominions, to consider all practicable plans for promoting the settlement of people from Britain, and affirming a readiness to co-operate in approved schemes, Mr MacDonald admitted very flankly that if the British people'did not develop their young and new countries, they would be open to the reproach of sitting on a vast area of the earth’s surface and preventing its beneficial use. His statement was perhaps most to the point, however, in its clear grasp and presentation of the circumstances in which it will he practicable for expansion and development to proceed, and particularly in the emphasis with which he declared that a great extension of settlement in the Dominions will only be made possible by a steady development of secondary industries.

The declaration Mr. MacDonald made on this subject deserves to be kept in the forefront in any consideration in the Mother Country or in the Dominions of the question of oversea settlement and development : —

It seems to me (he said) not merely an essential, but the principal part of the policy of Dominion development that secondary industries in the Dominions should be steadily expanded. If we are not going to allow a steady expansion of secondary industries, don’t let us talk about developing the Empire overseas, because it cannot be done in any other conditions.

This is a first-class working basis on which to proceed with migration and overseas development, and if the basis is accepted frankly in Britain and in the Dominions, there is no reason why rapid progress should not be made in that great enterprise.

Mr MacDonald’s declaration should have the effect, amongst other things, of remedying any harm done by the recent letter of the Federation of British Industries to the Board of Trade on the subject of New Zealand’s policy of import regulation. A statement by a Labour member of the House of Commons, Mr Ellis Smith, that the federation’s letter had done more to undermine confidence in New Zealand relations with Britain than anything in the past few months was perhaps somewhat exaggerated. The letter was, however, unfortunately narrow in outlook and a much more enlightened and open-minded stand is demanded of British industrialists if they are to play their ]>art worthily in helping to develop and people the Empire.

Although the time is more than ripe for immediate eoncentration on the “ practicable plans” of overseas development which were advocated in the House of Commons debate reported yesterday, it is very necessary also, in this great and vital matter, to define a true objective and to allow no limited or sectional interest to hinder an approach to that objective. Air MacDonald did not overstate the case when he said that increasing the prosperity and powers of the Dominions was perhaps the best way of augmenting the strength of Britain herself. Assuming always that they are capable of rising to their opportunities, the British people are laced by an unexampled opportunity, not only of making the future ol their own nation secure, but of helping to open a better future lor all humanity. »

No such free association of nations as the Empire is even today has been known in the world before. It may be hoped and believed that as the overseas Empire is more effectively developed and peopled, the ties of understanding and sympathy which now unite the British peoples will be deepened and strengthened. So developing, tin* Empire will give a moral lead and example Io the whole world and show other nations how to attain the blessings of peace and security. Much remains to be done before that example can be set before mankind, rounded and complete, but• magnificent, foundations have been laid and the work will be completed if the nation is worthy of its own past.

The all-important demand made meantime is that the problems involved should be faced in their entirety and with a full appreciation of all that hinges on the development of the Empire—for its own people and for humanity. Quickened enterprise is greatly needed, but so also is a readiness to set aside secondary interests and considerations. Air .MacDonald probably is justified in doubting whether the development of secondary industries in the Dominions would mean a decrease in British exports. In the end, that development may open the way to a great increase in British exports. A disturbance for the time being of this or that branch of British industry or ('xport trade must not be allowed, however, to stand in the way of the enterprising and rounded development of the Dominions which will enable the Empire to achieve the fullness of its destiny.