EMPIRE'S VITAL LINK.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 134, 6 June 1919, Page 5

EMPIRE'S VITAL LINK.

VALUE Or THE NAVY. (Received 1.10 p.m.) I LONDON, May 21 (delayed). |l On Empire Day, New Zealanders and [Australians in London entertained nt j I luncheon Admiral Sir Rosslvn Wemyss.j First Sen Lord of the Admiralty, and | General Sir H. P. Rawlinson, Commander | of the Fourth Army. Mr. W. H. Pearce, j who presided, said, that the Commonwealth gratefully acknowledged the ser-1 I vice of the Xnvy, which enabled ua in pence and war to live in safety. He paid [n tribute to General Rawlinsou's association with the Australian troops. j Sir Rorwlvn Wemyss, responding, said that the Navy had borne some share in building up the Empire, and in the late struggle it bore the part of upholding it. Australia, through GallipoH, had matured into nationhood. Tie believed that the link connecting the Empire units would always be the Na\\v. General Rawlinson snid that the .Fourth Army owed much to the valour. jeacrifiee, :md incomparable fighting spirit of the Australians, lie was deeply interested to watch their progress to the final of triumph, 101 S. Generals Bird- ! wood and Monash cnmmnmled with groat distinction throughout the war. For men untried by experience to come into the liurlv burly of war as the Australians did, and learn new methods which the Avar produced, was :i superhuman ta«k. and in the hi«t hundred days tbn Australians gained a reputation which would live throughout Europe. Marshal Foeh told him that the Australian counterattack at Villcrs Brettnneux was the turninsr-point of the great CJennan offensive. He was crl«'i to learn that a monument would be erected a! Mont St. Qncntin in honour of its capture. He regarded Mont St. Quentin unattackable, and did not feel justified in attiu-kimr it. but the initiative came from the Australirn corns, and tliov won it in the mewt gallant manner. Thn foundation of the Empire wan well laid. On the battlefields" nf France th ■ children of the Empire reached manhrod and proved their right to ?. prominent part in the high coim-ils o; tip United Empire. I General Rawlinson referred to Hawker's j escape, and said that lie ootiM not deecri'oe him bettor than to cay t , n,, was a- typical Australian.— (A. and N.Z.)