Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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9 In spite of the maxim Trade follows the flag the Empire grew with the development of overseas trade. Gradually Great Britain acquired and developed overseas settlements for trading purposes. The rest of the Empire was built up around the trading stations. Only then was it necessary to employ military operations to keep and strengthen the stations. The countries of the British Empire fall roughly into two groups, the large producing territories, of which the Dominions form the principal part, and the smaller Colonies, which serve as links between the Homeland and her Colonies. If this Empire is to grow or even maintain its present situa- tion, the forces of growth must be stronger than those of disrup- tion. Among the material forces which have kept the Empire united, are advances in science and communications. On the other hand various inevitable developments tend to operate against Empire consolidation. There has been, particularly since the first world war, an awakening of racial consciousness, a craving for political expression in self-government. Each war that has been fought by the Empire in this century has not weakened but strengthened the ties that bind England to her Colonies. This war has shown how solid the relationship is. Most remarkable evidence of this is the fact that, in India and the Colonies, so many of what our enemies would call ' ' Our subject races have voluntarily answered the call to arms in defence of a supposedly alien Empire. For example thcx Cripps Mission to India, at a time of much strife there, found that she has provided for more Indian fighting men than could have been equipped within measurable time. In peace time, however, the situation is entirely different. After the last war, when the Empire had fought to establish demo- cratic ideals, her people began to apply them to their own lives. By the time of the last Empire Conference before the war, it was recognised that the conference was not held to discuss the Empire ' s relationship as between Home Country and Colonies, but rather as between a group Qf autonomous countries. The position will be exactly the sarhe after this war. The Atlantic Charter provides that it is the right of all peoples to choose the form of Government under which they will live. Therefore the problem which confronts all citizens of the British Empire today is this — after the war shall they renounce all ties and have each of the larger colonies existing as separate states or shall they continue to live in a satisfied union, working for the good -of all its members ? The latter part of this question seems to me to be the more satisfactory arrangement. To accomplish this we must be good citizens, not only as individuals, but as members of the Empire. Let us now consider what the term Good citizens implies and how good citizenship must be applied to the Empire. Since

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8 The Admiral ' s Address Vice-Admiral Curteis spoke particularly of the meaning of the British Empire, of the part it played in the world, and of the responsibilities of citizens of the Empire. It stood, he said, for peace and freedom, but these ideals could only be realised by the continuing efforts of its citizens to face reality and to live in a state of preparedness in a changing world. Freedom, he main- tained, meant the freedom to choose the form of government under which they might live, and, having chosen it, to support it as good citizens should. Concerning the war, the Admiral considered that we had arrived at a situation similar to that at last Empire Day — one of waiting. During the -intervening year, tremendous strides had been made in the war on land, while the Navy had efficiently per- formed its duties of keeping the sea routes open. The submarine menace had been effectively fought, while the enemy surface fleet, notably the Tirpitz and the Scharnhorst had suffered heavy at- tacks. This had the effect of making the sea much safer for the Allies. In conclusion, the Admiral stressed the importance of the King: if peace and freedom were the ideals of the Empire, then the King was the stabilising influence which made the development of these ideals possible. Prize- Winning Essay — I 0 D E Competition By R, L. Barnard Good Citizenship Within the British Empire We are constantly being told — and with considerable truth — that the future of the world depends upon the coming generation. The statement is no less true of the British Empire, which today occupies a position of world importance. To maintain, and perhaps to improve, not by territorial ag- grandisement, but by material development, this position, it will be necessary to educate the subjects of the British Empire, par- ticularly the younger members, to be good citizens. The term British Empire implies all territory the inhabitants of which look to the King as their ultimate head, and includes both self governing and Crown lands. The extent of the Empire may be conveyed best by the somewhat hackneyed phrase The Empire on which the sun never sets, for it occupies one-fifth of the earth ' s land surface. This extensive commonwealth owes its origin, not to any excessive British pugnacity or acquisitions, but to the fact that the British are a trading people.

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10 nations are, in essence, only groups of citizens, it is obvious that everything pertaining to that nation, its international repute, its form of government, its standard of living, will depend upon every citizen. Thus we can see what is required of the people of a nation of world importance. St. Peter in his general Epistle advises Honour all men. Love the Brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King. In my opinion that is one of the clearest perceptions of any good citizen. The first rule of good citizenship is, to quote again from St. Peter, Submit yourself to every ordinance of man. To assist in the preservation of law and order in his community, by obeying every ordinance, is the first duty of every citizen. Also a good subject must of course be firmly patriotic and must bear in mind always that the future of the country to which he owes allegiance depends upon him and his fellow countrymen. The citizens of every part of the British Empire must work together to ensure the common welfare and maintenance of their countries and their Empire, and the democratic ideals for which they stand. They must realise that Unity is Strength. For ex- ample, the imperial Englishman must learn to recognise the Do- minion colonial or the Malay native as his neighbour. The public can give the lead in ensuring, by a continued interest in imperial affairs that a sense of common and good citizenship inspires the whole Empire. The proudest words that one could say in Roman times were Civis Romanus sum. Let us strive to make the words I am a good citizen of the British Empire of equal prestige in our times. Thus we may continue to live in this great and free association of great and free peoples, united in equal partnership, linked by common loyalty to the throne. Old Boys News It was with the very greatest pleasure that we heard a few days ago the news that F 0 J. H. Watlington is safe and in British hands. He was reported missing nearly a year ago and no word had been heard of him in the meantime. Major W. E. Tucker, R.A.M.C., who had been a prisoner of war since the fall of France in 1940, was released last November and returned to England. He has since been awarded an M.B.E. Lieut. M. C. D. Bowman, of the Royal Canadian Regiment, has been awarded a Military Cross for displaying initiative and courage in leading his platoon in an attack on the enemy. John Harvey has recently been promoted, at the early age of thirty-eight, to the rank of Brigadier in the Royal Marines. He was the first British officer to step ashore, and the first to be wound- ed, in the invasion of Sicily.