CRITICISM OF BRITAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20775, 8 April 1939, Page 9

CRITICISM OF BRITAIN

(To the Editor) Sir, —-May j draw attention to a statement by Dr. H. E. Annett, of Malang 1, in replying to a correspondent in the Waikato 'rimes? 1 am not concerned with the British raj in India (Indi-ah, 1 believe, is the correct pronunciation’ but 1 am concerned with the implications of this statement: “. . . 1 take strong exception to such un-British statements being made about British rule, one hardly expects an Australian to make such disgraceful statements regarding people of hia own race.” This, of course, is another version of the ancient credo "My country, right or wrong,” which must be considered fairly effete in these days. No less a dignitary than the Archbishop of Canterbury, l think, has stated that "what this country needs (.England) is a greater measure of self-critic-ism,” while Wells,* Shaw and Haldane, who can be numbered among England’s greatest writers and thinkers, do not hesitate to attack British policy, i where it is indicated and anyway, what about Mr Anthony Eden? If Dr. Annett’s dictum "that it is un-Britiah to criticise Britain” were carried to its logical conclusion, democracy In this country or any British country would be dead; our system would be indistinguishable from Nazism and Fascism, which Dr. Annett finds so abhorrent.—l am, etc^ PUKKA SAHLB. Whatawhata, April 5.