EMPIRE PARTNERSHIP

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14585, 7 February 1921, Page 5

EMPIRE PARTNERSHIP

PROBLEM OF THE FUTURE LORD MILNER'S VIEWS. HOW IT MAY BE ACHIEVED. m i i i (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February 6, 11.5 p.m. LONDON, February 6. Lord Milner, in an interview on the eve of his retirement from the position of Secre/.ary of State for the Colonies, said: "All vestige of subjection of the Dominions to the Mother Land had disappeared. The only basis on which the Empire can survive is partnership. The whole problem with which we arc faced Is how to make that partnership work. Instead of affirming and re-afflrming the Dominions' independence, which nobody disputes, we should concentrate our attention on the practical point as to how six Independent Governments at different ends of the earth can give one another the greatest mutual assistance, and how most effectively to uphold the interests we possess in common. It is admitted that common interests of paramount importance exist, but no sooner does anyone make any proposal for organising the Dominions' co-operation and putting it on a workable basis than somebody raises the cry of endangering the Dominions' independence, and the thing ends in nothing being done. Personally I am sure nothing ever will be done to organise Empire partnership by proposals emanating from Britain. The impulse must come from the Dominions, which, as they grow and think out their own future, will realise that the objects dearest to each are unattainable without the help of the rest."