FAMILY WELCOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 130, 4 June 1930, Page 7

FAMILY WELCOME.

EMPIRE PRESS UNION.

Cordial Reception of Dominion

Journalists.

MOTHERLAND'S GREETINGS.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph-Copyright)

LONDON, Junqf 3,

The United Kingdom Press g;£ve a dinner at Guildhall last evenirjr to the delegates to the Imperial I'ress Conference. Major J. J. Astor, chairman of. the council of: the Empire Press Union, presided, i]

The Lord Mayor of London, Sir ' William Waterlow, wore his robes of qffice. Turtle soup was served and the traditional waiters were replaced " _ by waitresses from Lyons, the well-known firm of caterers. j

The chairman read a message ,;from the King as follows:-~

"It gives me much pleasure think that such a representative Empire gathering is now assemtyed in my capital. The occasion is ane of great importance, for I know h*>w valuable these conferences are aiid how much they contribute towdrd the promotion of sympathy ajnd understanding. I wish you every success in your efforts and. look forward to meeting all the delegates in hue near future." ' \ ■

In proposing the toast of Guests," Major Astor said it was sjmbolical that the Lord Mayor shqnld receive the visitors. It was a iMfiily welcome. ; '• ,

Governments might rise and fall, politicians might come and go, but newspapers were often permanent and stable. They hoped to show- the visitors Ijiot only the historic monuments but TUso the living traditions of Britain. _ "Tliey would also show them such activities! of the national life as the, Ascot races ajud the Derby. As. the overseas Dominions had g»en generous help to Britain in' her noid, so they would give her help and syi-n----pathy in her -struggle through the jog of domestic difficulties and in .% er struggle to discharge her Imperial responsibilities. b ' The visitors would find that at ty te heart of the Empire the faith of tiie Empire burned brightly. If he might speak for the people of England lie would say: "We welcome you." j

Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Woods (Canada) in responding said the words of the late Earl of Rosebery 21 yeajs ago: "Welcome home," were echoing still. There might be differences tn matters of trade and tariffs, but be knew all the delegates would return to their homes united, though only by building up the Empire's trade, anil commerce as a single entity would they be able to face the rest of the world oil an equal basis. /

Mr. Theodore Fink (Australia) said the traditions of Britain inspired the life of the people of Australia and the 5 other Dominions. The work of the; Empire Press Union was only now comr mencing but a wonderful first chapter: had been written.

The question, was whether they could] retain the unity of the Empire. Former.;, colonies now were independent political; organisms linked together by one tieJ and one only—loyalty to the Sovereign. s

Continuing, Mr. Fink said material considerations were developing which conceivably' might scatter apart the' different parts of the' Empire. Independence might mean a divergence of interests which would dissolve the Empire.