AMERY’S EMPIRE TOUR

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 119, 17 February 1928, Page 9

AMERY’S EMPIRE TOUR

THE “FORTUNATE DOVE” RETURNED TO ARK WITH OLIVE BRANCH APT REPLY TO TOAST At a dinner tendered to him by the Empire Parliamentary Association. Mr. Amery said he was very much impressed with the growth and progress of the Dominions. BY Telegraph—Press association Copyright. (Rec. February 16, 7.40 p.m.) London, February 15.

The Empire Parliamentary Association tendered a dinner to Mr. Leopold Amery at the House of Commons. The Speaker, Mr. J. R. Whitley, presided, and the guests included Air. Churchill, Mr. Ormsby Gore, the High Commissioners, ami many members of the House of Commons.

Air. J. 1-1. Thomas, in proposing the toast of "The Guest,” inquired why, in God’s name, he was asked to welcome Air. Amery. As Air. Amery’s predecessor he had set out oil a visit to the Empire, and got as far as South Africa. Ell route Home he had only reached Madeira when lie learned that the Labour Government had been punctured. Now he was asked to welcome one who after seven months’ holiday had returned to find the by-elections not too bad after all. Nevertheless, personally, lie believed that if ever a position arose in which the issue concerned the heritage of the Empire, all parties and sections would join in declaring this a fundamental matter upon which there was no difference. Though Mr. Amery’s politics were rotten, he (Air. Ihomas) welcomed him Home as chairman of the Parliamentary Association. He was sure the success of the tour had been largely aided by Mrs. Amery. The Raven and The Dove.

Mr. Amery, in responding, was received with applause. He said: “In the Empire tour Mr. Thomas was merely the raven that flew over the waters to find Noah in the capsized ark. I was the more fortunate dove that returned with the olive branch to find the ark capable of floating for many seasons yet. “I set out with the idea that the British Government should between the Imperial Conferences maintain contact with the Dominions. I was very much impressed with the growth and progress that have lifted the Dominions to a new and infinitely more, hopeful plane since the war. We must do everything to make migration a success. We have embarked on a wonderful experiment in which free and independent nations shall co-operatively maintain unity. I believe it will succeed. Our defence system forbids the laying down of a rigid quantity of men, money, and ships. What "matters is the deep sense of responsibility to the Imperial Commonwealth, which was so gloriously demonstrated in the hour of trial. We in the Imperial development must cooperate for the promotion of everything dignifying and improving the life of man.”—A.P.A. and “Sun.”