DOMINIONS' AND EMPIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 130, 29 November 1926, Page 9

DOMINIONS' AND EMPIRE

FIT FOR RESPONSIBILITIES

FAREWELL TO PRIME

MINISTERS.

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, SGtli November.

Two hundred, including members of Cabinet, enthusiastically farewellcd the Dominion Prime Ministers at the Empire Parliamentary Association's dinner at the House of Lords. Mr. Baldwin presided and read His Majesty's reply to the Conference's address: "Tho Queen and I warmly thank members of tho Imperial Conference for their expression of fidelity and devotion. I followed with the closest interest the proceedings of the Conference, and am convinced the leaders afforded the Empire and the world a better understanding aud clearer conviction of what the Empire means. It has given me tho utmost satisfaction to greet so many of my Ministers from the Dominions and to learn personally from them the problems and aspirations of my peoples overseas. The Queen and I treasure recollections of our visits to these lands as among the happiest of our lives. We wish members of the Conference God speed and a safe return." Mr. Baldwin, in proposing the toasting of• "Overseas Visitors," said the coming of the Conference this autumn had been the happiest thing that could havo happened to England. "AYe have beeu refreshed by tho breath of optimism which the Dominion representatives brought," ho said. "They have heartened our future endeavours by the knowledge that they arc striving in all corners of the world, inspired by the same ideals. The Earl of Balfour's reputation has been increased by his association with the historic Report of the Committee on iutor-Impcrial relations, which simply acknowledges that the Dominions have reached manhood and aro fit to take up manhood's responsibilities. Our aims have been to stress co-operation, not independence, defence, nor conquest." Mr. Coates said that every delegate had left the Conference with feelings of entire satisfaction, not so much by what was said or written, as by the personal contact established. This was the strongest influence of the Conference. He emphasised that each Dominion had ecpial rights and status, and freely associated one with another; furthermore, each now understood tho others' viewpoint, which was most valuable.