FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4459, 29 January 1917, Page 5

FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE.

STRIKING. SPEECH BY SIR J. WARD.

AFTER-TH-Wflß PROBLEMS

GERMAN COLONIES MUST BE RETAINED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Jan. 28, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28. A striking feature of the Australian coiroboree at the Connaught rooms was Sir Joseph Ward's declaration cif the dominions’ views on aftor-thc-vvar conditions, this being the first public utterance regarding the fate of the German colonies. He was loudly cheered.

Sir JosepG Ward described himself as a born Australian and a young New Zealander. He said not only w;ls Australians and New Zealanders en-' gaged in the titanic struggle, but also the troops of Britain, India, Canada, •South Africa, and the islands of tbe Pacific. What could he finer than the feeling to-day between Australia and New Zealand and the other dominions? He was certain the cement would he stronger than ever, and would result in a more united Empire. He had the greatest confidence that the common sense of the peoples of the Empire would lie superior to anv differences.

“Australians and New Zealanders are kith and kin,” '.:e declared. “They will never bo content syth a reversion to pre-war conditions; there could not be a greater mistake. I saw with regret that the magnificent Entente "Note to President Wilson did not refer to the captured territories. Australia and New Zealand, whose blood won the colonics in the Pacific, are determined that they shall never go back to the enemy. The Dominions are proudly and determinedly co-oper-ating with the Motherland, to whom tjhey are indebted for her unequalled effort in raising five million soldiers. We shall not. allow anybody, not even President Wilson, to suggest our. peace terms. The men who lougut and the women behind them only are entitled to arrange peace when the right moment arrives. ■"lons are confident that those respon- . sible for the Government of Britain will see that victory brings a sure peace, and will thereafter consider with the dominions a scheme of Empire management. Although the present free system is beneficial to development, the new idea will tend to greater solidarity of the Empire, restinnilating world-wide affection for her flag of power and justice.”