The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-05-16
THE INTEGRITY Of
THE BRITISH EMPIRE

Editor Advertiser: Mr.. Keir Hardie's
comment on the lack of enthusiasm
for the British Empire throughout the
British colonies has been read with
much interest. With Mr.. Hardie, the
alleged Indifference to the Home gov
eminent on the part of the colonists
is deeply pleasing. But it exists only
in his imagination: 'the wish is father
to the thought" He and his kind are
doing their utmost to cripple and de-
stroy the greatest civilization in the
world today, in decrying authority,
sympathizing with criminals, under
mining the judiciary-the most stable
and incorruptible to be found in any
nation.
When he made tour of the United
States some years ago, both the man
and his doctrines were very coldly re-
ceived, except by the interested few
who hope in the prophesied redistribu-
ton of wealth to be awarded that
which they have never been able to
secure by their own efforts.
A little more than a year ago I left
Australia after a residence in New
South Wales and elsewhere of over
ten months. 1 met, in the time men,
toned, people of all classes and con-
ditions, and nowhere did see or hear
anything that limited at indifference to
the glory and well-being Of the En-
pire.
There is in the country a strong
a MI
to be against every man, including
the brother Englishman who comes
out from Home to do the work
which the Australian will not do
himself, nor permit anyone else to do,
if he can help it.
There is not much flag-waving or
hurrahing, and this class of malcon-
tents is left alone, until they begin to
threaten the constitutional rights of
the people. Then, Liberals and Con-
servatives unite and put them down.
There is a great organization known
as the League of the British En-
pire," with woman's auxiliary So
ciety. I attended many of these meet
ings and there was no lack either of
loyalty or wholesome enthusiasm. l
also recall a most beautiful exercise in
one of the government schools, where
children were dressed to represent all
the colonies on the globe, the dialogue
setting forth the relation of each to
the Mother Country. With this was
an exhibition of products, Canada,
South Africa, India, all Australasia
and the West Indian possessions be-
ing represented.
The talk of an Independent navy is
not taken seriously by any thinking
person in Australia. The protection of
the British Navy, which keeps some of
its best cruisers always in Australian
waters. always ready, is considered
far better, surer and safer protection
than any ships that the colony, with
it's very limited resources, could build
for itself. The sum paid the home
government for such protection is tri-
fling compared to what the construc-
ton and maintenance of an Austria
liam navy would cost.
New Zealand is Iukewarm, but there
the peculiar theories of Mr.. Hardie
have been carried to their last resolu-
ton. 1t is ruled by that sort of trades
unionism that stubbornly backs up the
unfit and the incompetent, systemat-
ically dragging down the man who
might excel to the level or less than
mediocrity. I visited that colony also,
after first visit fourteen years ago,
and the deterioration in all branches
of public service within that time is
incredible, The policy of the local
government in the matter OF borrow
ing has been extended to the ind1vid-
ua1, and there is a recklessnesS IN
mourning debt, private and public,
that has no parallel elsewhere that l
have ever discovered. The business OF
the country is essentially an exemplifi-
cation of the credit system in an ex-
aggerated scale. Every man for him.
self seems to be the public and pn-
vate shibboleth, and under conditions
of this sort there is little healthy sem
timent in the way of patriotism and
national pride. 1t is true tGat in Eng
land the Liberals are in power, but it
is by no means unrestricted power,
and both the late premier and his
present successor repeatedly deferred
to the spirit of conservatism that will
exist there as long as the English
language is spoken. Only those VINO
argue otherwise are those in sympa-
thy with the tenets of Mr.. Hardie or
who have no personal knowledge of the
real England and the real sentiments
of the colony for her welfare.
The real truth is that at the time OF
the Diamond Jubilee. in 1897, the i'm
perialistic idea received an impetus
that has been strangely overlooked or
moderated. The great and wise SOW
ereign, whose long and wonderful
reign was then celebrated. conceived
the idea of calling together the pre-
miers of her colonies throughout the
world. They came, and We're in con-
ference six weeks. discussing plans,
ways and means of strengthening the
central government and their own al
legiance to that government. The spirit
which was then engendered still sur
wives, and it will live and grow long
after Mr.. Keir Hardie has quilted the
stage of action and been forgotten.
MARY H KROUT.
1-S2 Euu40T1 avenue Honolulu May