A White Paper published on Tuesday gave a list of
the offerings of the Dominions and Colonies to Britain since the beginning of the war. It is a most gratifying and touching catalogue. The generous gifts of the large Dominions are well known, but we must mention some of the minor and not less significant gifts. Trinidad sends cocoa, Jamaica oranges, St. Vincent arrowroot, Montserrat guava jelly, East Africa coffee, Demerara sugar, and so on. The Emirs of Northern Nigeria sent £38,000. The Paramount Chief of the Basuto' wrote : " I have the honour to ask your Excellency whether, as my King is engaged in fighting his enemies, I, his servant, would be doing well to keep aloof watching him being attacked by enemies !" He then proceeds to offer, since he is unable to come in person, a contribution of ls. a bead from his people. We may add to the list an instance of loyalty related by the Wellington correspondent of the Times on Monday. Nine, one of the Cook Islands, with a population of four thousand, has sent £131 and offered two hundred men. The letter accompanying the gift says: "I am the island of Nine, a small child that stands up to help the kingdom of George V. There are two portions we are offering : (1) money, (2) men." The secret of bolding the affection of the "small child" is bidden from Germany. If ever she learns it she will be a more dangerous enemy than she is.
Previous page
