FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 93, 19 April 1916, Page 7

FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE

DEPENDS ON CO-OPERATION. LORD SYDENHAM'S REVIEW. LOXDOy, 18th,April. Lord Sydenham, commenting on the current situation, says: — "Karnest thinkers in all parts of the Empire have long believed that the British people could not rise to their full height in their mission in the world to develop their unrivalled resources or safeguard their liberties against aggression, with-' out a closer union of purpose and effort. Much has been done to secure joint counsels and to provide for mi interchange of information in regard to matters connected with Imperial defence, but advisory bodies can rarely succeed in attaining great objects, and conferences may fail where executive action is imperatively required. The vision of the Federal Empire, blurred and indistinct in the past, now stands out in clear outline as the result of the startling revelations which the war has forced upon us. , "Wo1 now understand that all that wo cherish is at stake, and has been in grave peril. We realise, as never before, that far closer Imperial co-opera-tion is essential, not only for national safety, but for the .solution of vital economic problems. We shall have to reconstruct the shaken fabric of our prosperity by turning the' whole resources of the Empire to account for the benefit of its citizsne of all ck&sai.

[s this possible without organic union? Will not our shared sacriiicea of gallant lives and treasure, lavishly poured out, he in vain if we- do not now create an Empire, in tlie government of which all members can takr. petit': Car. s-c> supreme an opportunity ever recur? Upon the answer to these questions l-he future of the British people must depend."