EMPIRE’S LEAD FOR WORLD PEACE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 189, 7 May 1937, Page 13

EMPIRE’S LEAD FOR WORLD PEACE

Challenge To New Theories SPEECH BY DUKE OF GLOUCESTER Democracy was no outworn creed but represented the very life-blood of the British Empire. This statement was made by the Duke of Gloucester in a striking speed) at the New Zealand Day dinner of the New Zealand Society at the Savoy Hotel. “These are fateful days for the world,” he added. “Now political theories are growing up and the old ideas of democratic government are be ing challenged. “It is at such times that New Zealand and the other members of the British Empire can make their greatest contribution to the welfare of the world by showing the value of peaceful co-operation and by keeping alive the torch of liberty and progress.” The Duke’s references to democracy were interrupted by cheers and applause. New Zealand Memories. “Some of us over here are hoping that the end of our long English winter is almost at hand,” added his Royal Highness. “Personally I do not, because I have been spending a few 1 spare days that I have in hunting the fox on a horse which J was given while I was in New Zealand. “Somebody once said that New Zealand was ‘a brighter Britain.’ That has always struck me as a particularly happy phrase, and the clear brightness of the land remains with me as a most vivid memory of my stay there.” The Duke went on to recall some of the incidents of his own visit to the Dominion “Certain events stand out in my memory,” he said. “Surfing and a picnic on Christmas Day at Pilia under the crimson blossom of the pohutnkawa trees: fishing in the Tongarlro for rainbow trout, whose size would leave any English fisherman speechless at further attempts of exaggeration; sheep stations on the Canterbury Plain, and one of the most vivid of all, an assembly of Maoris at Rotorua.” It was just 97 years since the sism ing of the Treaty of Waitangi by which the Maoris acknowledged tlie sovereignty of Queen Victoria. There had been difficulties since that time—what country could hope for a century without difficulties— including cricketers — but New Zealand had a record of achievement of wli’ch New Zealanders mivht be justly proud. “New Zealand is a country of high ideals,” added the Duke, “but her ideals have had a way of being realised.” Mr. Savage’s Message. A message from the Prime Minister of New Zealand,’Mr. M. J. Savage, was read. It stated :— “The Dominion of New Zealand has always been devoted to the Royal. Family with feelings of sincere affection and loyalty. “The bonds of sentiment which bind our country with the United Kingdom are continually being renewed and strengthened, and I feel confident that we in New Zealand will always be as fortunate in the future in receiv'ng fair and favourable treatment which the Mother Country has afforded us in the past.” Iu front of the Duke was a model of the Arawa, the war canoe which, according to tradition, brought the first Maoris from the mystic isle of Haiwaiki.