GUILD HALL BANQUET

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1930, Page 6

GUILD HALL BANQUET

TO PR ESS DELEGATES.

L inted Press AoßoesatJon. —By Electric • teiegrapli.—Copyrigh t.;

LONDON, June 3

Ur .MacDonald replying said that 4U years ago Prolessor Alexander 0.M., gave him an introduction to the late Mr Courtney who asked him to write a leader on the spread of influenza in Central Europe. The reception of that leader drove him into politics. The •'Daily Telegraph” did not lose much” said Mr .MacDonald "1 lost the •■Daily Telegraph.” lam obliged to Mr Riddell for suggesting I might make a return journey I’ll remember i hat when the time comes ” Mr Kink said the development- ol the nationality of the Dominions raised many new problems. The Empire was an over growing organisation. Statesmen must meet the changing needs. Mr Esmond Hnrmsworth, a slim darkyouth, who admitted lie was not old enough to attend the last eon I erence, said the haul for the Imperial Coniferenee should come from overseas. The press should prepare the way for the Imperial Conference. Many believed. a stronger rope than sentiment would, he needl'd to keen the Empire together. He predicted that the time was not far distant when a newspaper might wireless its whole contents from Englajid to Australia. Mr T. AY. MaoKen/.io (South Africa) described African patriotism as deep and sincere though perhaps not so loud toned■ as elsewhere. If the Empire was to he held together hv ropes it must .-very carefully choose the rope. The silken rope of trust, friendship and respect was the strongest. Orundsun Fletcher said the onlv tiling they could not get ready made was a thing with the roots. The Em"ire grew from roots and was still n long way from maturity. If we could get the youth of Australia and Empire Honking and acting all would he well. Mr Wedgwood Bonn, a member of the Cabinet, said India rightly asked for recognition of equal status for Indians. The problem was very difficult and force could not provide a remedy. Though the law must' be mi forced, far from using the policy of dividing the Indian people, the Government was trying to secure racial and religious harmony. If the principle of British domination or exploitation were adopted. the days of British rule in India would he numbered. On the. motion-oif Lord Astor it was decided to cable congratulations to Kir wan on his birthday honour.

FURTHER SPEECHES

>- LONDON, June 3

Addressing press delegates as “My friends.” Mr MacDonald pleaded most eloquently and, briefly sincere, his speech lasting only fifteen minutes, for co-operation between -StateS'ilien and ionrnalists in solving" the problem of how to combine -national freedom with social development. They had to merge Tmnerial spent rule into the Commonwealth sjMritV'i—TTicv'TwT to do these things in commonwealth of nations and yet extend the hand of fellowship and co-operation to'the rest of the world. Journalists , were <m' due side and himsolf ami Lord/Aster 1 for, though they differed no nutiiy things both were Commoners —on the other hand to conspire together to contribute to the solution these problems'. Lord Riddell' described Mr MacDonald as the “Dean of our Gothic Cathedral.” and said lie would have made an excellent- archbishop of Canterhurv. The motto of the conference was “Let us all stick together.” W bother they did it hv weaving words or hv some kind of cement.- was immaterial. Tf ■w.. -**• M ] lf id taken his speech +o ’•’l •••<• ";••(’< '• 1 "M Riddell said lie would k- horn. vTv glad to svndioate it. m I ,v o od T. Lord Riddell conduj.M sav'"g that in listening to Lord ' ‘"". •t Guildhall he seemed To hoar i h<> ghost of .Lord Roseherry speaking.