GERMAN COLONIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 152, 29 June 1934, Page 4

GERMAN COLONIES

Sir, —Your cable columns in to-day’s ‘ ‘ Chronicle ’ ’ have reference to a sermon delivered by Bishop Barns in connection with the National Peace Congress at Birmingham, in which he suggests a restoration to Germany of her colonies. It is to be sincerely hoped that the League of Nations will not agree to such a proposition. The history of German colonisation—more particularly in German South West Africa—has been a nightmare of extermination, bloodshed and brutality towards the natives. Bishop Barnes surely ought to know. Does he think German mentality has changed towards subject races? Can the Ethiopian change his colour or the leopard nis spots? The League of Nations, if it puts capital importance on the interest of the natives, will without i

doubt prefer British genius for colonial administration, and can a . y escape the conclusion that to Britain must fall the greater part of the white man’s burden,” which has fallen from the unworthy shoulders of Germany. Whatever faults Britain may have been guilty of in her colonial administration, her dependencies, in the main, are invariably governed in the interests of the inhabitants. Both Australia and our own Dominion would undoubtedly object to the return of the German colonies. One of the Australian contentions is that indisputed possession of the German colonies is the only compensation obtainable for their Great War sacrifices.—l am, etc. , ,‘A.J.P.” ’ Aramoho, June 26.