SERIOUS THREAT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 169, 22 July 1935, Page 7

SERIOUS THREAT

EMPIRE DISUNITY THE BRITISH CABINET i IGNORANCE OF DOMINIONS LORD BLEDISLOE SPEAKS (By Telegraph- Prc«> Association— LONDON, July J 9. "I. endorse Mr. Forbes’ regret at the British Cabinet Ministers’ lack of personal knowledge of the , Dominions, and their ignorance is ino more marked than concerning New Zealand,” said Lord Blcdisloe, speaking at the Empire Society’s summer school. Yet the . Empire’s future rested predoini- • nantly in their hands. If their knowledge was second-hand and ] scanty, the British proletariat in tlie House of Commons was still ( more ignorant, seriously threatening ultimate Dominions separation. Lord Bledisloc paid a tribute 1o New Zealand as a country, peopled by Nature’s gentlefolk, which was socially and almost ideally democratic. The average standard of education was very high, and the reading of newspapers and books was wider spread than elsewhere in the Empire. Even the poorest people were generally well informed of the ntion’s and the world’s affairs. Courtesy and good manners were universal, there was very little swearing and drunkenness, and shabbily-dressed people were seldom seen. Speaking in England before his departure on July 1 for New Zealand, Mr. Forbes said New Zealanders felt that an understanding of tho Domonion’s problems would be much greater if a responsible Cabinet Minister visited the Dominion. (< I hope that my suggestion will be able to bs fulfilled after the elections,” he said.