THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 267, 8 November 1923, Page 5

THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

MAN'S BEST ACHIEVEMENT.' PRINCE OF "WALES' SPEECH. AT DINNER TO PREMIERS. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copjriglit.j (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 7. The Prince of Wales was present at a dinner given by the Overseas League to the Dominion Premiers. He proposed the toast of "The Dominions and India," and declaretU,that GenI eral Smuts, Prime Minister, South Africa, was certainly not overstating the lease when in an eloquent speech he said iin the British Commonwealth we possessed the greatest institution ever devised by man. The nature of the constitution of the Empire could not be too often enipha- | sised. The Empire consisted of iiide- • pendent sister States. By the genius of i many statesmen and the sound instincts 'of the people, two opposites, co-opera-tion and independence, were dovetailed together. | The Prince of Wales proceeded to urge the desirability of encouraging the spirit of travel in statesmen and journalists, all of whom -were distributors of ideas ; and information. To the people of Bri- | tain it was a sign of the times to see . the increasing number of students and teachers from overseas who visited and sometimes resiilcd in Britain. His Royal Highnesa rcealled many happy days and wonderful experiences of the past four years in various parts of the Empire, which were always a help. He was looking to find future journeys of equal interest. Mr. S. M. Bruce, Prime Minister of Australia, pointed out that the Dominion Prime Ministers came to London to discuss Empire problems. He asked how many statesmen in Britain visited the Dominions to learn colonial problems first hand. j The Maharajah of Alwar declared the affection and love for the Crown was ■ the greatest cementing factor in tho i Empire of which India wae a proud part. He believed the Prince's visit to India during the transition stage broupht , home the idea of Empire.— (A. and N.Z.) . i HUMAN SACRIFICES I ON THE BURMESE BORDER. I . I VESTIGES OF SLAVERY. DELHI, November 7. ' Tho commissioner's report dealing with efl'orts to suppress slavery and human sacrifices in the Putno district, on the Burmese border, states that slavery has been reduced to small proportions. Those remaining are either contented or too lazy and opium sodden to work out their redemption. The practice of human sacrifices was coniined to a small area of unadministered territory in the Naga Hills, but it nourishes there to a serious extent. — (Renter.) KU KLUX KLAN. IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. (Received 2.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, November 7. A feature of the State municipal elections throughout America was the i sweeping victory of Ku Klux Klan I candidates at Ohio City. Taken with I other developments, it seems to point i to the entrance of the Klan into State ' and nationaV politics next year, to a j degree which will embarrass many candidates of other parties.— ("Sun.") PUBLICITY MAN'S CRIME. SHOOTS RIVAL ATTORNEY. I I NEW YORK, November 7. Mr. Vhillip Cox, at Atlanta, fatally shot Captain William Cobnrn, the crime causing much excitement amongst mem- ' hers of the Ku Klux Klan throughout the southern .states. Cox is publicity man for the Klani and editor of the '"Night j Hawk," its official organ. I Last week Captain Coburn appeared as attorney for disaffected members, who are seeking to have a receiver appointed for the Klan's headquarters, on the grounds of alleged mismanagement, involving millions of dollars. — (''Sun.') IMPERIAL SHIPPING. ASSESSMENT OF TAX. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LOXDOX, November 7. A report has been drawn up by the Imperial Shipping Committee on Iho ■ ' methods of assessment of shipping to income tax within the Empire. The committee suggests a series of alternative remedies, but recommend* none, because the matter is outside the committee's sphere of inquiry so far as the necessity for raising revenue is concerned. j Tbe committee, nevertheless, feels that inter-Empire anomalies and complexities exist, and h;ts sufficient evidence to establish prinia fa.eio a ground of complaint, and suggests that the report be ■ first brought to the attention of the : fiscal authorities concerned.— (A. and I N.Z. Cable.) UNITED STATES CONGRESS. i STATE BY-ELECTION. j I WASHINGTON. November 7. !' The Republican majority in the Senate , has been reduced to six by to-day's by- '. elections. Incomplete returns indicate, that the Republican majority in the House of Representatives is practically ! unchanged. The elections were necessary to fill vacancies caused by death. The Presidential policy apparently did not affect [ the contests, which were fought on pro- ; vincial issues. I ■ New York returned two Democrats : and two Republicans to the House of '. Representatives. Democrats am in the i lead for the Governor and other State : officials in six States. : . The Senate will have 01 Republicans, i 4:5 Democrats, and 2 Farmer-Labour < members. The House will have 220 Rp- i publican?. 205 Democrat?, and 3 Indo- i pendent members in the next (onsrrp?. < Two vacancies are yet to be filled.—(A. ' and N.Z. Cable.) i