PRESS CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1930, Page 5

PRESS CONFERENCE

ADDRESS BY LLOYD GEORGE

[United Press Association- By Electric Telegraph —Lop,) rglil.J

(Received this day at 8 a.in.)

LONDON, June 6. A) ith his mane ol while ha.r smoothly back-brushed, speaking quietly and restrained!/ Mr Lloyd George opened ins andioss at the Cdnferen e with a review ol the clieel ol the war on Empire rcl.it ions. 'Hie dolormiiiing laci.or of the war was the British Empire. Thcie are two corners of the war which lie still shuddered to remember. With the Empire ail in 'liras the nearest thing. The Dorn moms sent a million of the finest men who ever fought. Then the Dominion Premiers were called to the War Cabinet. If meant a revolutionary change ol oonsiitulicm of the Empire. Alter cornicing the lingers on one hand, the Powers represented in the Great War Conference at A’ersailles whereat the Dominions were present, Lloyd George -said: “I forgot what the other Powers represented. The Dominions were toe re as independent nations and not merely t members of the British Empire.

“At the Conference they did not toddle into the Conference like babies led by a nurse, but as young men in the full parapet of war. They had won the right to he there. Objections were raised, but M. Clemenceau and Mr Wilson fully admitted the claim though Air Wilson got into trouble about it afterwards.”

“This is the first chapter of the story of' Empire Development. The second must he written by the Empire itself. The history of the world depends on the way wherein it is written. I must walk warily. The safe way is to keep to the high ground principle and avoid details. A descent to the plain of particulars generally ends in disaster; I will keep the middle course.” Encouraged by cheers" Air Lloyd George said his caution proved that he was not a politician. The next step after equality was effe't've unity. Tf we did not make unity ns effective as it was already made, the equalitv of the Empire would not remain. It would dissolve. It could not remain stagnant. AYe all the nations of the Empire into a Commonwealth of free, equal, independent nations.

If the Empire failed to realise this time it would 'be one of the gieatesi lost opportunities of history and the world would suffer. The centre or the Empire must be strengthened. Britain would pull through her present troubles, ’but she was the heaviest sleeper and like all men of sound constitutions must be wakened.

Britain could bear the burden of the Empire, but must also share it. There was the Indian problem, there was Egypt, the gateway to Australasia and India. Even th G small island of Malta had volcanic possibilities. Some cinders had dropped in Downing Street from the Vatican There was always the insistent problem of our daily bread. He hoped the Imperial Conference would not shrink from discussing freely all questions of Empire. Freedom aim independence was obtained so recently by some Dominions that they cherished and even coddled this reason for caution, not inaction. The Dominions were powerful standing alone. United, t'he possibilities were beyond ou,r vision. As partners in a commonwealth of free nations they would be incomparably greater Air Lloyd George ended amidst an ou.i.mrst of cheering. Questions were invited but none were asked.

Air L. AI. AleLeod (South Africa) said what the Empire wanted was described by Air Lloyd George. Sir Augusto Bartlow (Malta) described size as the worst standard of greatness. Where would Tasmania or Britain be judged 'by size. It was unfortunate ij.iiijt AluLta -could only attract attention by staging an eruption-

Mr Hugh Savage (Canada.) said two curses of thc words were doing vast harm to the Empire. One was America and the other was Australasia, United' States, not America, should leave their ward Australasia to the consideration of New Zealander? and Australians. Air Cummins (Tasmania) asked the Conference to affirm the desirability of wider public knowledge of Empire affairs, in the interests of both Empire security and the extension of reciprocal trade. He emphasised (the need of mixing increased space in the British press to Dominion happenings, especially development schemes, trade, and major political events. Eclipses of llie moon, activities of cuckoos, swallows and bumble bees seemed to figure more largely than Dominion events. Air Brumson Fletcher said all parts of the Empire needed to know more about each other as well as about tnemselvos.

Lord Riddel said. Australia with sixmillions received more attention in London newspapers than the London County Council, which governed seven millions: ‘Tm greatly interested in Mr Theodore, named, I believe, alter Theodore Link.” said l.ord Riddell. Air Tom Clarke, of the “News Chronicle’’ said, what Australia was really seeking was propaganda, not news. The English newspapers wore always ready to print news. He suggested Australian delegates should have a quiet talk with some people at Australia blouse. There was plenty of good Australian news which Aus-