THE PREMIERS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1155, 16 June 1911, Page 5

THE PREMIERS.

BUSY ROUND OF FUNCTIONS. SIR JOSEPH WARD ON THE HIGHEI IMPERIALISM, LORD SELBORNE'S VIEWS. U.v TelcgraDb—Press Asßociation-OopyrteW London, June 14. Sir Joseph Ward gave an address o] "The Higher and Truer Imperialism," a a meeting of I'ho Royal Geographical Ho ciety. The eliair was occupied by Lori Selborne. Sir Joseph Ward made an urgent pie) for an Imperial Council. Some day, hi said, it would ho impossible for Britaii alone to maintain her majestic suprem acy 011 tho sons, and the Dominion would equally bo unable to wholly de fend themselves from foreign aggression Lord Selborno said: "We must bo pre pared to see tho centre of gravity of tin Empire pass from tho United Kingdon to" some other part of llio Empire." Hi added that while at present Englishmoi felt less free to discus;! the problem o: federation, yet when tho statesmen Oi tho Dominions presented a preparee scheme, many Britons would, he bo lieved, bo prepared to give their politi cal lives to tho support of it. .THE APPEAL FOR UNITY, NEWSPAPER COMMENT. London, Juno 14. The "Westminster Gazette" (Independent) says that the one decisive answer t( Sir Joseph Ward's fear regarding the pos siblo disintegration of the Empire unlesi closer unity oi the governing institu. tions is effected is that as long as Greal Britain is strong enough at sea to pre vent an enemy attacking tho Dominions no question of disintegration can arise "Therefore," adds the "Gazette," "the question of the Navy is tho Alpha unci Omega of British policy." The "Pall Mall Gazette" (Unionist supports Sir Joseph Ward's contentioi that if there is no closer Council of Empire than the gathering of the oversea; Premiers once every four years, the out' look for Imperial unity will continue grave and clouded. "Sir Joseph Ward,' continues the paper, "declines to believe that the Empire can shuffle along witli nothing but sentimental lies, ,and still maintain its unity under concrete ordeals." OXFORD DEGREES. COMMENT ON MR. FISHER'S REFUSAL. London, June 14. Tho Public Orator at Cambridge University, Mr. A. D. Godley, in a laudatory Latin speech when conferring the Doctorship of Laws on Sir Joseph Ward, Central Botha, and Mr. E. Morris (Premier of Newfoundland), mentioned that it was intended to confer degrees, on others who were absent, including Earl Grey (Governor-General of Canada) and Lord liotlischild (who is ill). He added thai' Mr. Fisher (Prime Minister of Australia) had. declined the honour, which tho University had desired to pay to Australia no less than to himself. ARTICLES BY THE PREMIERS. CONTRIBUTIONS TO "FINANCIAL NEWS." (Rcc. June 15, 10.30 p.m.) London, 'Juno 15. Tho "Financial News" publishes a thirty-two page Coronation number which includes articles by Sir Joseph Ward upon the romance of New Zealand; Sir George Rcid, High Commissioner for Australia, on Australia's advance during King Edward's reign; by Mr. M'Gowen, Premier of Neir South Wales, on tho prosperity of New South Wales; by Mr. Murray, Premier of Victoria, on Victoria's wealth; and by other Premiers on tho resources of their respective States. HOW TO AVOID MILITARISM. SENATOR PEARCE'S ADVICE. (Rec. June 15, 10.30 p.m.) London, Juno 15. At a banquet to tho overseas Ministers, given by Captain A. Boyd Carpenter, Mr. Pearce, the Commonwealth Minister for Defence, in responding to the toast, "Tho Dominions," said the surest way to avoid militarism and jingoism was to make every citizen a soldier. Australia did not believe it manly to allow England always to bear tho burden of the colonics. Sir William Hall-Jones, High Commissioner foi: New Zealand, also spoke. RECEPTION AT LAMBETH PALACE. A DISTINGUISHED GATHERING. (Rec. June 15, 10.30 p.m.) London, Juno 15. The Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Davidson) and Mrs. Davidson gavo a reception to the overseas delegates at Lambeth Palace. A thousand persons were present, including the Duchess of Albany, tho Duke and Duchess of SaxeCoburg, Lord and Lady Crewe, Lord and Lady Portsmouth, Lord Roberts, Lord Kitchener, Lord Rosebery, and Lord and Lady Eshcr. COMMERCIAL MEN DISAPPOINTED. MR. FISHER'S ATTITUDE. (Rcc, June 15, 11.30 p.m.) London, Juno 15. The "Times" 6ays that the members of ;ho Chamber of Commerce aro disappointed at Mr. Fisher's attitude on tho land ax. Despite tho expressions of almost every peaker concerning tho friendly spirit enertaincd towards Australia, Mr. Fisher nterpreted tho observations as unfriendy, and suggested that tho relations bewcen tho Commonwealth and Great Briain were strained.