SIR GEORGE REID.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 764, 12 March 1910, Page 5

SIR GEORGE REID.

-—■—4 ■ A BANQUET. By Tcleeraph—Press Association—Oopyrleht. (llec, March 11, 10.15 p.m.) , London, March 11. Sir George Reid, High Commissioner for the Commonwealth, was entertained at an Australian, banquet, Mr. Coghlan (Agentseneral for New South Wales) presiding. There were 225 guests. Among those present were Lords Brassey and Lamington, formerly State Governors in Australia; Lord Strathcona, High Commissioner for Canada; and Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge, formerly Commander-in-Chief of the Australian station,.; Admiral Sir Harry Eawson, until .recently Governor of New South. Wales, replying to the toast of the Imperial Forces, hoped that the Australian fleet would soon take its share in the protecting of trado routes. Mr. Henniker Heaton, Unionist M.P., also replied. iHe said that the Australian Army was composed ■of highly-intel-ligent men, but the Australian military forces had not made the advance which Australia demands because the Government had not utilised to the utmost the advantage of being able to draw on the British Army for qualified instructors. He urged Sir Geo.. Keid .to try to induce Australia to ask the War Office foi tho assistance so urgently required. Mr. Coghlan, in proposing Sir Geo. Beid's health, eulogisedhis work |in Australia. 1 ; Sir Geo. Eeid, in reply, said that-tho Australian typo shows what Australian 1 development would be under the glorious heredity and environment of the British people. He. was sure that Australian finance had not been,carried too far. He emphasised the fact that nearly tho whole of the Australian debt had been spent in reproductive works, Every pound spent wisely on immigration was the best reproductive expenditure that Australia could make.

Throughout Australia there is the instinct of fearless independence, (there was also devoted loyalty to'the'Throne and affection for the people, of Britain, which will serve to develop, with ever-increasing, strength and power,. the Imperial destiny.