TRADITIONS OF BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21088, 13 February 1934, Page 10

TRADITIONS OF BRITAIN

A LEADER OF NATIONS BRITISH PARLIAMENTARIAN'S VIEWS Traditions of the British Empire, as a loader of nations, imperially and financially, were referred to by Sir John Sandeman Alien. M.P.. a distinguished English visitor and vicepresident of the Royal Empire Society who, with Lady Allen, was entertained at a dinner at the United Service Hotel last night by the Canterbury branch of the Royal Empire Society, in conjunction with the Council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. Mr A. E. Flower, president of the branch of the society, presided. Mr Flower said that there very larely came an opportunity of forging a link with the Homeland, and they were glad to take the opportunity to do honour to Sir John and Lady Allen. Sir John was an "ambassador of Empire.'' Lady Allen, he said, had engaged herself vigorously in the women's sphere of the society, having for its object the consolidation of the Empire and, incidentally, the peace of the world. Society's Work Praised Sir John Sandeman Alien, in reply, said that he had extreme pleasure in visiting Cliristehurcn, for it was 40 years since he had married a girl from Christchurch. He was full of 'praise for the work of the Roval Empire Society which now had about 38.000 members. H had done rcmarkablv tine work in opposition to the policy of the "Little Englandcrs." In New Zealand there were several fellows of the society. Christchurch was the onlv place that had a branch. Actuallv (hero should be a New Zealand orancli with local committees. Thus there would be a Dominion organisation, making for a greater interchange of visitors. The British Empire was a unique organisation, continued Sir John. It should not be confused with the term "Commonwealth of Nations." It was the greatest guarantee of peace the world could have. She had been the only nation to ciisaryi, and to a dan',e>-ous state. Other nations bad armed increasingly, while Great Britam had i educed armaments. There was a strong feeling in the British Parliament that a halt should be called, i Applause, i A move in that direction would have a lull backing. National interests should be the beall and end-ail ol Parliament. When toe next election came there should still be a national Government majority. In India there were about 45 different races, and if the British control were removed there would be cicstiuctivc conflict. "In the colonies some do not seem to realise the ability ot the Colonial Office in Downing street." he said. "I can assure you that it is remarkable. The Empire was built up by peaceful pene-trat:on--the farmer, the settler, the axe, and the plough. This Empire will continue to progress, for the word of an Englishman is good everywhere for honesty and purpose. You do not need to cross the whole of the Pacilic Ocean to discover lhat." importance of Trade Only recently had it been loulised that trade was the life-blood of nations, he continued. The Foreign Office now fuliy recognised that without trade everything would go to pieces, and thus, most problems were economic. There was no such tiling as a self-supporting nation in the world to-day. Sterling was the only currency that war; solid, for no one knew what the franc and the dollar were doing, and no one worried about the mark. Great Britain was undoubtedly (he centre of the financial world, and, politically, Great. Britain took the lead in a quiet way. She was the one country sought as a guide.

Many had .said that the day of Groat Britain wa:; done, continued Sir John, but that was a lot of foolish talk. The general strike had been smashed, with the consequent breaking up of the European strike, and it had been proved that the heart of the Old Country was sound. "We have a determination to progress, and I find it a joy to travel the world and see how Ureal the nation is. 1 ' he said. "We will carry on to peace, prosperity, and progress, and. finally, let me say J wish you well. ! remind you of the greatness of our own race and our Empire." Mi- A. F. Wright, president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, proposed a vote of thanks to Sir .John, and this was seconded by Dr. i\ G. Gibson and carried. Lady Allen referred briefly to (he way in which women could help the work of the society in propaganda. She appealed to women and children to cive a penny for the budding of headquarters in London. Sir John Allen replied briefly. To-day. at 12.30 p.m.. Sir John Sandeman Allen will be the finest of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce at luncheon at Ballantyne's.