A NEW BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 16460, 26 June 1917, Page 6

A NEW BRITAIN

REORGANISED BY WAR

STIRRING SPEECH BY ATTORNEYGENERAL. ,

“ The Britain of yesterday is dead, and a new Britain is arising. Britain will never again he exactly the same old Bri•tain of the days before the war—weighty, solid, stolid, insular, regarding the rest oi tlie .world with aloofness; self-confident, and self-centred, loved witli devotion by those who were of her, hated, with bitterness by those who viewed with envy her power, her prestige, and her rich possessions. ,So indifferent to outside circumstances that she was blind to the dangers which threatened her, and so misjudging her Imperial resources that she regarded the overseas possessions with a benevolent and patronising condescension. Content with her jmmortal history', content with her traditions, her unassailable place in the world, and the infinite beauty rnd charm of her land, she viewed with a casual eye happenings in the outside world and the plans and ambitious of other nations.”

It was in the above terms that' the Attorney-General (Hon. A. L. Herdnian) commenced his address at the “capping” ceremony at the Wellington Town nail on Friday night (says tho ‘Post’). His address was purely of a patriotic and Imperial character, and was listened to ~with the closest interest. BRITAIN, ALIVE.

“ -The Britain of to-day is alive,” he continued. “ She is awake, alert, and active. She is vigorous and in deadly earnest. Her great strength is being put forth to the utmost. Her intellect is working at white heat. Old and young, rich and poor, peer and peasant are one united host working for the safety of Britain and tho freedom and peace of the world. To-day Britain’s outlook is broader and more human. She understands that she cannot live alone iff the world, and that Allies and overseas pos : sessions are not embarrassing encumbrances, but valuable securities. The ox-

perience of these years will influence her actions through the centuries. It will leave a permanent mark on her character. It has stirred the depth of her soul; she has learned that her children can acquit themselves like men. and they in turn have been profoundly impressad by her resourcefulness and by her impregnable spirit. The new Britain will step out of the furnace of war a sadder, a wiser, and a more vigorous nation—a more potentinfluence for the peace of the world and the good of humanity than she has ever been, and a more, powerful champion of right and liberty than she could ever have been had this war not happened.” ORGANISATION OF BRITAIN. The speaker went on to remark that the war was organising Britain. It . had revealed, as nothing else could have done, the illimitable resources of the British communities scattered over the globe, and it had shown how useful and indispensable each part had been to every other part. Tho knowledge gained would be turned to practical account. To-day so complete was the system' by means of which enemy trade! was prevented that no business concern in which the enemy, were extensively interested could rear its head in any remote part of the world without- the* fact being speedily by every other British country. -tN ACTIVE NAVY. ‘‘lf,” said the Minister, “you are in search of further evidence of the organisation of Britain, I invito you to remember— “ That hardly a ship moves upon the face of the waters of tho globe but the Imperial Navy cither directly or indirectly through our Allies knows all about it. “That the mercantile marine of the world proves under Britain’s guidance and guardianship. “That it mainly rests with her to say whether the markets of the world shall remain open or be closed. “ That the business operations of the United Kingdom are largely directed and controlled by her.” LE.ST YE FORGET! Mr Herdmnn asked whether the lessons in organisation which we had been taught under tho harsh conditions of war were to be forgotten. Ho ventured to say No. “If we do forget them wo deserve to perish. Tim penalty that we have paid for -unreadiness and for foolish blindness consists in desolate homes, broken hearts, and cruel suffering. This can never 'h§ forgotten, and public men dare not let Britain slip back into a state of insensibility.” He hoped that, for reasons of safety, in addition to the standing armv which Britain would be bound to maintain, there would be a system of universal military service established in all the selfgoverning Dominions of Britain. WONDERFUL EFFICIENCY.

Speaking of the splendid work done by the Navy, he said that the man would indeed be a bold one who would seek to alter any of the principles upon which its wonderful efficiency is founded. “I hope,” he said, *• we will have one Imperial Navy, controlled in peace and in war from one centre of the Empire, and that the men will all serve under -like' conditions, and will be trained where the traditions and spirit of the Navy lives, and where they will be far beyond the reach of the meddlesome politicians, who sometimes are experts in all matters of which they know least.” AFTER. THE WAR. Speaking of what changes will surely happen alter the war, the Minister said ho thought that trade between British countries would be legislated for, that trade with our Allies would bo encouraged, and that trade with our enemies would bo firmly restricted. “_'lho Germans,” he said, in conclusion, “ will go down to history as great soldiers and great blackguards. The soldiers and sailors of England will be remembered as having fought their great fight with honor, with a spirit worthy of the nation that claims them, and with a cheerful and reckless and splendid courage that will inspire future generations of their countrymen to imitate their great deeds.” (Loud cheers.)