SPEECH BY LORD ROSEBERY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7815, 7 June 1909, Page 2

SPEECH BY LORD ROSEBERY.

LONDON, June 6. For enthusiast and representative character the banquet to six hundred guests m the largest liaJl m London was one of the most remarkable .gatherings ever held m the Empire's capita?, and was memorable for Lord RosetrerV's oration, holding his shearers speufroftnlf, and transmitting a~ hjost striking' alnd moving message to every corner of the?" dominions. Lord .Burnhairi presided, Alt the delegates',and all the 1 leading journalists m the country were ' present. The guests included General l&tl Hamilton, Lord •" Northcliff c, Mr Max Pemberton. Sir Douglas Straight, Mr George Parkin and Lord Faber. Conspicuous aitiong the decorations were symbolic Imperial designs, and the musical programme^, was ■ composed of the national songs- of< Great and Greater Britain. King Edward .sent a warm response to a loyal" telegram, hoping that he would be long spared to his people and the 1 Empire. Lord Rosebery's speech is generally pronounced to have been nothing' less than wonderful and as perhaps his .most brilliant effort. In welcoming the delegates, he dwelt on, the enormous importance of the gathering. Referring to the Conference of Prime Ministers of the Empire, he said that "it was no disparagement to those gathering to say that the present Imperial one was more, important still. Ministries\were transient, while the powSr of a, great I newspaper in' gaining and embodying opinion immeasurably exceeded. the ! statesman's. '-'The best are the simplest words," he said. "On the present occasion the only two essentials are perhaps the sweetest mortal can hear, 'Welcome home.' (Prolonged cheers.) This is the motto of the occasion :. Welcome to your home." - (Renewed cheers.) Ho proceeded m a vein of delicate pathos, with flashes'of humour and satire, to picture wha^ the delegates who had arrived would see of Britain, past and present, including the prodigious but always inadequate armada protecting her shores, "All these, gentlemen," he exclaimed, "are yours as much as ours.'"' He then asked what they brought, adding;that was more important to\the Motherland than 1 what they could take from her. The best they could bring; was knowledge about themselves, their communities, their aspirations and policies. Latterly, according to the favourite .practice of retired politicians, he shad dreamed a dream. He pictured .Parliament voting supplies for two years, packing itself up m the obsolete; warships now so readily scrapped, going on a trip to discover something about the Empire. Meanwhile the Motherland would be governed.much as now by the heads of permanent departments. Some, perhaps, would' have greater confidence m its welfare under such well-ordered control. (L'augnter.) The peers would naturally pay their own expenses of' the tour. The House of Commons votes the taxes, .the Honso of Lords pays them. He next dwelt on the surprises to be met m the'countries visited under the imagined tour of discovery. In democratic Canada there was a Premier holding his'"own against the buffets of innumerable elections; also there wealth was not, a crime. Next there was New Zealand carrying out m the , total absence of tradition or complexity, policies' fe are endeavouring -to construct.' He .. was astonished at the virility of Australia, sustaining- seven Legislatures. .Referring to South Africa, he said that it was the greatest modern success m empire-building. Ho would; avoid Uganda, lest he should' disturb the privacy of the ex-President. Finally, after a tribute to Mr Heriniker-Hea-ton's activity, Lord Rosebery, ;al*aring his mood, described the extraordinary impressiveness &i the state of.Europe, its surface calm, its overpowering preparation for war. He added that. Britain was determined to spend if-need be her last .shilling on Dreadnoughts. He was not sure that .even .that *vna enough. "Possibly it will be . Your duty," he said," to carry to'your dominions the message, that the same \ crsonal duty and responsibility of defence rests on every citizen ' and .emphasise the deplorable condition of Europe, rattling into barbarianism, pressure being put on this little England to defend itself, its liberties" andyours. Take thia message 1 also "back: The Old Country is right at heart. There is no failing or weakness, m her. She rejoices m renewing her youth m her giant dominions beyond-,the,'seas. For her own salvation she must look to herself, and that failing, she!will look to you." . '• • Received June 7, 8.55 a.m. LONDON, June ,6: The delegates to the Press Association will be the guests of Mr Lloyd.George at breakfast at Downing Street on Tuesday. ■ <