IMPERIAL RELATIONS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13108, 6 May 1908, Page 9

IMPERIAL RELATIONS.

SPEECH BY THE PRINCE OF WALES. ■United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received May sth, 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. At the Royal Colonial Institute dinner at the Hotel Cecil, the Prince of Wales presided. There were 350 gueste, including -the Dukes of Argyle andi .viarlborough, Lords Loreburn, Dudley, Jersey, Tennyson, Alvorstone, Rothschild, Lamington, iStrathcona, Viscounts Mork'y and Runciman, Mr •Sydney Burton, the Archbishop of iSydney, Sir Montague Nelson, the Agents-General and many leading colonials.

iMjr Hhomae Price, Premier <rf •South Australia, proposed the toast of tho Royal family. Ho stated that it was hoped to divert tho tide of immigration setting towards Canada to Australia, which Australians were preparing to preserve for "wiiito men. They wero preparing great Trans-continental ruihvci/ys and up. lands. A.UB" tralia was also preparing to taJie> her part in defending tho Empire by promoting a vigorous cadot movement and training large bodies of men roady to fight for the fla.g.

TJie Prince oi Wales responded. He welcomed Lord Dudley, who, he said, •would carry with him tho heartiest good -wishes oils his high and responsible mission. Lord Northcote's departure was to bo most deeply regretted, lie feelingly referred to tho death of Lord Linlithgo. His Royal Highness stated that his own visits to the colonies and dependencies had created a deep and continuing interest in tho progress and "welfare of all tho oversea dominions, which tho loyal and affectionate -welcome and generous hospitality universally extended to himse.lr, Ids brother, and his -wife had intensified. Ho tvould never forget tho many kind friends niado during those memorable experiences. His visits had eoabled him to form an idea of the Empire and realise its vastnees and its resources, and latent strength. England now meant England spread over the whole surface of the world. (Cheers).

Tho Princo of Wales, in proposing tho toast of tho Dominions.'beyond the Seas, dwelt upon the toruo spirit of the Etarpire and tiho tke of kinship between all parts. Astounding progress had been mad© in improving means ot communication within tho Empire since Quoen Victoria ascended the throne, and there was greater co-opera-tion for mutual interests with common aims. All must bo ready to make mutual effort and self-eacriiko. He hoped progress •would bo mad© in iiioraughJy grappling ivith the Imperial Defence question, and in strengthening military organisation in peace time. Hβ also urged the importance of reciprocity in matters of education, and the strength oning of social relations with, the colonies, making it clear to colonists that they were always certain to find in England a' home not in name" only, but in reality.