Freedom of London

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 256, 13 October 1923, Page 5

Freedom of London

Conferred on Premiers SPEECH BY MR. BALDWIN. OLD WORLD CALL TO THE NEW. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 13, 12.20 p.m.) London, Oct. 12. With time-honoured ceremonial, the Premiers, Mr. Stanley Baldwin. Mr. Mackenzie King. Premier of Canada, and Mr. S. Al. Bruce, Prime Minister of Australia, were presented with the Freedom of the City of London in the historic Guildhall, which was thronged with distinguished people, including the Duke and Duchess of York, Lord Salisbury, the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Derby and practically Lhe entire Cabinet, tho majority of the members and advisers of both the Imperial and Economic Conferences and many dominions’ visitors.

• In responding to the presentation, Mr. Baldwin said he regarded it as a good omen that he and his colleagues stood on that platform. All three were inexperienced, but inexperience gave men faith to take risks which must be taken in these days.

Referring to unemployment. Air. Baldwin declared that the moment when it must take years lor old markets to recover was the moment for the Old World to call in the New World to develop a fairer inheritance than either yet enjoyed. “I am convinced that with the enthusiasm and ability of the members of the conferences some solution will be found for the grave problems besetting us, and that the Imperial Conference will not rise from its labours before accomplishing something to the permanent good of our own peoples and mankind generally. ’ ’

Air. Mackenzie King emphasised the point that the Freedom of London* was linked by unbroken tradition with the freedom of the British nations expressed by the Imperial Conferences. Mr. Bruce was accorded a remarkable ovation. He recalled the intimate relations between London and the overseas dominions throughout history.—(Reuter.) Mr Baldwin, responding to liis health at a luncheon to the new freemen, recalled with pride the financial stability of the City of London in war time, pointing out that the position could only be maintained if the large industrial population in the country had work. While other countries also suffered derangement of markets, Great Britain, owing to the circumstances of the case, suffered most. The time had not come for him to enter into details as to what he believed it possible to do to provide that in future years Great Britain would not suffer as she is now suffering. He urged the necessity of pushing on the development of the Empire with the utmost celerity and ardour. He was confident that in that direction alone lay the hope of the future for Britain and her crowded masses of population.—(Reuter).