EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1137, 26 May 1911, Page 5

EMPIRE PROBLEMS.

4 DUKE OF CONNAUGHT SPEAKS. NOVEL SUGGESTION BY SIR JOSEPH WARD. CANADIAN LOYALTY. By Tdlesrach—Press Association-CopsriEM (Kec. May 25, 10 p.m.) London, May 25. The delegates to the Imperial Conference were the guests of the Colonial Institute at a banquet at the Hotel Cecil, the Duke of Connaught presiding. The function was the largest and most successful in the history of tho Institute. Among these present were: Lord Lucas (t'nder-Secretary for the Colonic*), Lord Denman (Governor-General elect of Australia), Lord Strathcona (High Commissioner of Canada), Lord Lamington, Lord Kitchener, Lord Stanhope, Sir George Keid (High Commissioner for Australia), Sir William Hall-Jones (High Commissioner for New Zealand), Dr. J. G. Findlay (Attorney-General for New Zealand), the Lord Mayor (Sir T. Vezey Strong), and many promiuent colonial residents. The Duke of Connaught, in proposing the toast, "The Overseas Dominions," said the Imperial Conferences had undoubtedly worked for the well-being of the Empire and thp welding of its parts into one great and indissoluble whole. The evolution of self-government in the Dominions was one of the most important British contributions to Imperial science. He earnestly hoped that the Universities of the Empire would givo that themo a definite and compulsory place in their curricula for degrees in proficiency in modern history. Judging from the statistics, there were indications that half a million immigrants would land in Canada in 1911, making tho population of that Dominion eight millions. He noted with satisfaction that tho Canadians were fully adopting the Old Country's institutions, and emphasised Canada's determination with regard to defence to co-operate closely with tho British Navy.

Turning to Australian affairs, his Royal Highness noted that the Commonwealth was sel'iously undertaking immigration, and then referred to New Zealand's unbroken career of prosperity. The immigrants, though apparently restricted, were of the highest quality. Australia and New Zealand, it was instructive to note, had lost no time in profiting by Lord Kitchener's visit. The readiness of their young men to perform military service recalled New Zealand's spontaneous oflei' of one or two Dreadnought?, and its enormous effect in 'awakening the Motherland. The Duke closed with a reference to his recent tour in South Africa, and declared that he was more than ever satisfied that the foundation stone of the South African Union had in every sense of the word . beon well and truly laid. CANADIAN LOYALTY. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, in responding to the toast, said though there might to doubts and misgivings as to Canada's future, and some, perhaps, , considered Canada had conio ,to a parting of the ways, Canada herself, however, had no doubt as to the way she would follow. If any existed in their minds they could let all doubts cease. Canada had shaped her course and intended to remain a nation within the Empire. The nineteenth century had belonged to the United States, but the twentieth would belong to Canada, which was drawing a hundred thousand people annually from the States. There was no danger of a severance of the British connection so long as the country was given freedom, liberty, and happiness.

■ MR. FISHER'S APPEAL. Mr. Fisher said that were Australia in Canada's fortunate position of being alongside seventy million people of similar ideas to her own, she would not fear peaceful invasion, for there was room and untold wealth within her border. If Australia were nearer Europe she would be better understood, and would attract more o,' the Motherland's people. He hoped that representative men of the United Kingdom would follow the example of the King and Queen and visit and discover Australia's necessities for themselves.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S SUGGESTION. Sir Joseph. Ward declared that if they could liavo seen what occurred in New Zealand on this Empire Day they would have seen thirty thousand cadets honouring the flag of Old England. New Zealand realised that there were no better foundations for defence than by commencing with the youth in the schools. Ho approved of the Duke of Connaught's suggestion regarding the curriculum of the universities. He alto thought that the Governors and Governor-Generals should.be instructed not to remain during their whole terms within their Dominions, but to make periodical exchanges. Why should not the Duke of Connaught go for a few months to Australia and then to New Zealand, and Lord Denman to New Zealand and Canada? Let British Ministers, let the whole Cabinet come to the Dominions for a month or two during the recess. (Laughter and cheers.) Kir Joseph concluded by acknowledging Mr. Harcourt's courtesy and kindness to the Premiers since their arrival. IMPERIAL COUNCIL SCHEME. SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD. London, May 21. In moving at tho Imperial Conference yesterday, "That the Empire has now reached a stage of Imperial development which renders it expedient that there should be an Imperial Council of State, with i representatives from all tho constituent parts of the Empire, whether self-governing or not, in theory and in fact advisory to tho Imperial Government on all questions affecting the interests of his Majesty's Dominions

oversea," .Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister of Now Zealand, said there was necessity for an Imperial Council on the grounds of Imperial unity, organised Imperial defence, and equal distribution of the burdens of defence. There should be representation of the self-governing Dominions in an Imperial Parliament for determining questions of peace or war, questions of foreign policy, and international treaties affecting the Empire. The remarkable growth of the Overseas Dominions, argued Sir Joseph Ward, required tho gravest consideration of statesmen, in order to prevent difficulties which might in future be almost impossible of settlement, but which might bfdealt with while the Dominions' populations were limited. He believed that, in 25 years the combined population of tha Overseas Dominions would exceed that of the United Kingdom. Those controlling tho Empire's destinies would have to consider the matter of the expansion uf its units. All were deeply concerned in the maintenance of some loo;O form of federation. The component parts uf the Empire were now kept together by sentiment. The experience of the United States showed what tremendous changes might take place with regard to nationality, and he believed thpy would havo to face such a.

problem, owing to the attractiveness of the Overseas Dominions for settlement to people of dillVrcnt lnnyuaßes from our own. "l.'nlrss the f|iieslion of emigration and immigration is treated Jmperiiilly. and anxious iarc is taken to Ueop our own people within the Empire, our future strength might bo dissipated, and the best of our population be spread amongst alien countries." The conference has adjourned until Thursday next. PILGRIMS' CLUB BANQUET. Sin E. GREY OX THE PEACE THEATY. London, May 21. The overseas Premiers were the guests of the Pilgrims' Club at a banquet held in the Savoy Hotel. Field-Marshal Lord l'oberts presided. Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, .spoke in enthusiastic terms of the projected Anglo-American arbitration treaty, and said the success of inch a treaty must be dependent on the absence of any possibility of conflict between the national policies of the two parties thereto. This condition being assured, thcro must, in tho second place, be between the two Governments a confidence in each other's reasonableness and goodwill. "The history of tho last few years," continued Sir Edward, "shows that reasonableness and good will have been characteristic of all tho negotiations between us. If it is true that the proposed treaty will merely seal tho satisfactory state of things already existing, let us seal it. If not, we will bo like the unprofitable servant who wrapped his talent in a napkin." There would bo people in other countries asking whether they, too, should not do as Britain and America proposed doing. This would lead to tho sifting and weighing of tho causes of differences between tho nations, .and with progressively favourable results. Sir Edward Grey added: "We will rejoice if Mr. Taft's initiative should lead, directly or indirectly, to beneficial consequences to others." Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada, and Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister of New Zealand, Tcsponded, on behalf of the Premiers, to the toast of "Our Guests."