IDEALS OF EMPIRE

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 90, 13 October 1916, Page 8

IDEALS OF EMPIRE

DOMINIONS WILL BE LOYAL

OUR MINISTERS IN LONDON

-NEW. ZEALAND'S HELP IN THE WAR. (UNITED PBBSS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.) (Received October 13, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, 12th October. iLord, Brassey, Lord Islington, . Lord Pkmkct, the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Emmott, the High Commissioners and Agents-General, Sir James Cai-roll, Dr. A. K. Newman, Mr. E. C. Ozanue (Attorney-General for Guernsey), and many members of the House of Commons attended the luncheon given in 'honour of Mr. Massey aud Sir Joseph Ward by the Empire Parliamentary Association at the House of Commons.

, Mr. Bonar Law (Secretary of State for the Colonies) presided, and in welcoming Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward paid a tribute to the splendid services both had rendered the Empire. The services by the overseas Dominions could not be exaggerated. It was not only a question of moral support—the Dominions had sent somewhere about three-quarters of a million of troops, but numbers were not the chief characteristic—they had also placed assets of every kind at the disposal of the Motherland. 'War had taught England that'in our dealings with the Dominions it is not merely a question of profit and loss, but whatever would add to their strength would'add to the strength of the Empire.

NEW ZEALAND PLAYED HER PART

New Zealand played her part. In proportion to her population she had sent and keeps up a strength not inferior to the other Dominions, and up to now without compulsion. They knew what she had done .it Gallipoli. (Cheers.) The New Zealanders did not merely receiye their baptism of fire, but with their Australian comrades proved themselves as good as any troops in history. What they had done would bo handed down in history. Referring 'to Britain's vmpreparedness, Mr. Bonar Law said she started badly as she had done in every war, but when history comes to be written the marvel will be the way which the Empire organised itself. She more than equalled her enemy in war material and always beat them in the quality of men. The end was not in sight, but the tide had turned and the result was not in doubt. Mr. Bonar Law concluded by quoting •the woTds used at the Anzoc service in Westminster Abbey: "We are resolved that our sons and .brothers shall not have laid down their lives in vain." THE ECONOMIC CONTEST WITH GERMANY Mr. Massey, in replying, said the events of the war proved to the world and our enemies that the citizens of the Empire were intensely loyal, and were prepared to prove it by the severest ,teste. He and Sir Joseph Ward had not. come to ventilate grievances. They realised that those entrusted with Imperial affairs were carrying the heaviest responsibility ever placed on the shoulders of British statesmen. Therefore the proper thing for all was to present a determined and united front to the enemy, then after the war they could settle any differences they might have for the mutual benefit of the community. We had a solemn duty to civilisation and posterity to see that the blood shed had not been shed in vain. The inhuman methods of Germany were not entitled to any consideration. We must go on until the -enemy was crushed and broken and acknowledges defeat. Britain was not decadent, as the nations of the Central Powers had deluded themselves into believing. There were many important matters for consideration after the war. Our industry, energy, and ability must be encouraged as never before. .Every deserving man must be given a chance to share the good things of life after the war. Something more than mere ties of blood, kinship, and tradition was assuredly required to unite the Empire, but any new ties must leave the Dominions free to manage their own affairs. The ties must be capable of meeting changing conditions in various parts of the Empire. We have taken up the burden of Empire and intend to carry it, believing it is the right thing. So with wise, statesmanlike management the units of Empire will stand loyal to the ideals of Empire. This must appeal to the most unimaginative. He fully agreed with the findings <xi the Paris Conference. The sooner they, were pre pared to meet the German in economic contest the better. He wa3 sure the present generation of New Zealanders would not purchase any enemy goods obtainable within the Empire. It may not be possible to have a. Freettade Empire, but it is possible to give preference to each other, and also an open door to our Allies. ■

A PLACE AT THE COUNCIL TABLE

Sir Joseph Ward said he had full confidence in our. determination to win. The Overseas Dominions by their enormous sacrifices and willingness to give their last man and shilling had a right to look forward in the future to a place at the Council table ; and to require thab the outlying units, whicih. had emerged into positions of advantage, and were ready to take their part, should have a say before the Empire was involved in ■war. New Zealand strongly approved the decision of the Imperial Government to take the Dominions into consultation when peaco was declared. When-the terms were being discussed there would be many questions affecting the Dominions, and it was only right that the countries contiguous to the possessions captured from Germany should have a. voice in their disposition. He congratulated Great Britain on what had been done to develop the trade policy. New Zealand after the war would impose a SO per cent, duty on enemy importations, and was prepared to increase it to a 100 per cent, if necessary. Sir Joseph paid a tribute to the work of the J?avy in pToteting the trade routes. The Navy had saved us. The resources of the Empire had been strained to the utmost, but the great sacrifices demanded had been made without a murmur. The war had steadied public life in New Zealand and strengthened the national character. The raising of a ten million loan in New Zealand was testimony of the confidence in the country's cause, and faith in the ultimate issue. The war had brought the ideal of a consolidated Empire much nearer, and he believed it ■would soon be practical and inaugurated.