THE BRITAIN OVERSEAS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 258, 24 July 1908, Page 7

THE BRITAIN OVERSEAS.

. .. (FEOM'OTO SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Sydney, July 18. In the course of his speech at the farewell banquet in Melbourne, Lord-Northcotq uttored some interesting observations; relative as to tho relations between' Great Britain and hor colonies. . If,tho British Empire was to continue in its present-magnificence, said he, this could be achieved only by the eilorts of its possessions beyond the seas. Ho was not ono of those who thought that the pluck and spirit of the Motherland were decadent. Ho held they wero as vigorous as'over; but he could not,-shut- his, eyes to the fact that geographical conditions prevented indefinite expansion,'in the British Mes themselves. A population of 44,000,000. was almost too much for the British Isles to provide with su'stenanco and a happy life. Almost, the first speech to which* ho had listened in Australia was ono by the present-Prime Minister, in which lie compared the, position to that of three olovens playing in ono cricket field. (Laughter.) In his own'judgment, tho position of tho - Motherland, in reference to hor oversea dominions reminded liiin of a voteran cricketer who was keeping up. his wicket at one end, helping to break.-thq bowling, while the youuger and moro active partner was hitting:tho.loose balls and making tho runs. (Laughter. and cheers.) The ono was the necessary i complement of the othor. The dashing : young batsmen could not score; unless ho had tho steady partner at tho other end, and botji made for the success of their side—the British Empire. (Cheers.) Incidentally, in a reference to tho duties of tho Vice-regal office; Lord Nortlicoto said, judging from his own experience, that a'Governor would find the whole of. his timo moro than filled by endeavouring-to obtain some real and accurate information as to tho wants and resources and aims of. the country, without mixing himself up With its political controversies. . There was great cheering when the Acting Lord Mayor suggested in his' speech that Lord iNorthcoto might within a very short period be appointed the first High Commissioner of tho Commonwealth in London. .On. this point, Mr. Deakin gave no information in his speech. Ho merely remarked that this or any country would bo-fortunato in•dced which'had Lord iS'orthcoto as its representative at tho heart of tho Empire: but if they could not hopo to obtain that, thoy were assured of his Excellency's voico in the Houso of Lords—a voice that would be raised for Australia, and for overyono of Australia's interests.