ROWERS IN THE BOAT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 108, 7 May 1913, Page 5

ROWERS IN THE BOAT.

'THE OVERSEAS EMPIRE. TIME FOB ORGANIC "UNITY. SIR E. GREY'S OPINION. (By Cable.--Press Association!— Copyright.' (Received 10.35 ajn.) LONDON, May 6. A crowded meeting of the Victoria League wns held in the Guildhall. Captain Collins. Federal representative during Sir Geo. Heid's absence, and the Agents-General, Lord aud Lady Sydenham, Archbishop Wright of Sydney, Ladies Talbot, Betty Balfour, Eayjeigh, were present.

The Countess of Jersey outlined the league's work, particularly the bureau of information introducing immigrants to overseas branches.

tsir Edward Grey said that the growing self-respect of overseas Britishers was making it impossible for them to remain passengers instead of rowers in the Imperial boat, hence some form of organic union was necessary.

Mr W. A. Watt (Premier of Victoria), in a stirring address, eulogised the work of the associated bodies of tbe Victoria League in Australia, which were stimulating and cementing the spirit of Empire. Such work as correspondence between children, reception of overseas visitors, exchange of flags between schools, was fostering a sentiment which was one of the strongest buttresses for the future of the Empire.