The New Zealand THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1923. FROM DOMINION TO NATION

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 49, 13 December 1923, Page 29

The New Zealand THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1923. FROM DOMINION TO NATION

SHEN the words, “the commonwealth .of British nations” were used officially a couple of years ago, definite recognition was given to facts which had gradually become prominent on the high political horizon. Here in New Zealand people as a rule seem satisfied to be mere slaves of the Mumbo Jumbo .1 called “The Empire,” but in Australia, in South Africa, and notably in Canada there was a prouder and nobler spirit of self-respect. and. self-reliance. - More by force of circumstances than by active endeavor, in spite of her “statesmen” rather than owing to their genius, New Zealand moved along on the tide of progress and imperceptibly arrived whither the bolder and more virile countries led. Nolens volens, she is to-day where they are; and through no merit of her own their greatness has been thrust upon her. No doubt her soldiers have done their part as bravely as any others speaking the English tongue, and to them one must give the honor that is their due; but her subservient politicians, lacking the ability and the candor of their brethren in Canada and South Africa, certainly contributed little to v the dignity of. the Dominion. Last to grow up to full stature, and last to realise her growth, New Zealand, nevertheless, to-day is a full-grown nation if she would only open her eyes to see it. , ■ ■. : ... : » The Avar hastened the development of the Dominions. Our Premiers sat in council as equals with England’s representatives, and perhaps one Dominion Prime MinisterGeneral Smutswas more than their equal in strength and statesmanship. They signed the Treaty of Versailles, as did Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Bonar Law, Lord Milner, and Mr. Barnes; and even though they did not sign the Anglo-American-French Treaty, it was expressly provided therein that no obligations should be imposed on the Dominions “unless and until approved by the Parliaments .of the Dominions concerned.” This clause was a great forward step towards recognition of the right of the Dominions to act for themselves, independently of England, which thus acknowledged that it had no right to rule them from Downing ; Street v as hitherto. .. -Again, the Dominions,

Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, arid India, :i became, original members -of the League of. Nations, with - the right of acting independently of Great Britain. And, . if one of them lost its head, the others emphatically recognised and . asserted that right in September, 1922, when - Lloyd George’s hysterical cry over Turkey went forth. . Moreover, some of the Dominions are recognised as mandatories responsible to the League,’ for German New Guinea; Samoa, South West Africa, and Nauru. A further assertion of independence came from Canada during the present year. In the past treaties and tariff agreements with foreign governments and with one another were carried out under the wing: of the British Government, which usually accredited an Ambassador when any engagement requiring the solemnity of a-treaty was required. Last April, Canada signed for herself a Fisheries Treaty with the United States, positively rejecting the intervention of Sir Auckland Geddes, who had been instructed from London to sign in conjunction with the Canadian representative, ~ M. Lapointe. It was Canada, again, which led the way farther by asserting her right to appoint a Minister-Pleni-potentiary at Washington, to protect her interests in the United States. Hence, it is evident 'that practically all the development is due to Canada, and that there the spirit of independence is not afraid to assert itself. It is also evident that England clearly recognises the necessity of granting with a good grace the Canadian demands, which have gone so far that Canada may well claim to be a fully-established nation, and a partner on terms of equality in the Commonwealth which used to be called the Empire. In fact the old notion of subservience to England has vanished, and every Dominion with pride and spirit enough to know its rights can with reason lay claim to nationality. - * The bearing of all this on Ireland’s status is important. It has been recognised by the Treaty which Dail Eireann ratified that .Ireland shall be a partner in the Commonwealth of Nations,- having a position expressly described with reference to the Canadian model, or, in other words, with rights no less than those of the Dominion which has been boldest and most fearless in asserting equality with England and independence thereof where her own interests are at stake. In refusing to allow Sir Auckland Geddea to sign a treaty for her, and in asserting her right ; to appoint her own Minister-Plenipotentiary at Washington, Canada has proved her consciousness of nationhood, and, u hat is more, England has admitted it, in all essentials. In this connection, the Irish Treaty has a special significance for the Dominions, inasmuch as their right to call themselves nations has how been authoritatively recognised, while the oath-binding Ireland with the rest is not an oath of obedience or of allegiance, but an oath of fidelity, conditional on membership of the Commonwealth of Nations. Our. politicians, with their ridiculous flag-flapping and their hysterical oaths of allegiance do not recognise that they are put of date and out of touch with the progress of the world. But .one of these days, New Zealand will elect a Parliament worthy of her people, and children shall be taught to be proud of their independence, as they are now taught to hug their rusty fetters. Canada leads and we follow by force of circumstances __ ■ ‘ - 'l,:' - MOUNT MAGDALA As the season of universal joy arid happiness is . ap- ' proaching, the anxiety for the welfare of the inmates of Mount Magdala and the little children of the Orphanageagain - urges the Sisters of the Good Shepherd to ask .' to be remembered in the Christian charity of the admirers of the reformatory work going on at" 1 ‘Mount Magdala.”. They also beg to direct special attention to the cause of preservation of the poor, children, for whose education and trainingevery : provision is made. With sentiments of - sincerest gratitude the Sisters,and all under their care renew to their benefactors ’. every- good wish of the coming festive season.