MINISTERS' BANQUET .

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 143, 15 June 1909, Page 4

MINISTERS' BANQUET .

THE COLONIES' ASPIRATIONS,

INTERESTING, SPEECHES BY

DELEGATES

LONDON, June 12. The Earl of Crewe (Secretary of State for the Colonies) presided at the Ministers' banquet in the Grafton Galleries. Lords Alverstone Lord' Chief Justice), Strathcona, Northcote, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, and many leading menu-ere present. Mr Asquith, in proposing the health of the guests, referred to the duty of the press to promote the highest forms, for the worthiest purposes, of the spirit of Imperial unity. The press was the only authentic mirror of public opinion, and the most trustworthy auxiliary of every good Government. Nothing was more noteworthy in the speeches of the last week than the statement that all parties spoke with identity of sense, and almost of expression, upon matters of Imperial concern. Mr Cunningham (Melbourne) responded. He thanked Ministers for their magnificent entertainment and the many marks of consideration. The delegates claimed no credit for the surprising results of the Conference at Home or abroad. These were due to those ~ statesmen' , who pro-, claimed with united voice the aspirations of the Dominions of the Empire. It was the more noticeable.because the heads of both political parties were agreed upon the greatest of Imperial problems. The time had gone when the people overseas expected announced loyalty to Britain. To-day there was reciprocal loyalty in every part of the Empire. The development of the Imperial idea* must proceed slowly in remote parts. It would not be hastened; it would have to grow, and was growing. The wisest statesmen would guide the bark to the centre of the stream, and not force it over the rapids. Young countries, like young men, thought not as their elders. They asked that their spirit of independence might be treated patiently. There was still lingering a feeling in1 Australia, that Britain desired to control Australia's destinies. It was a legacy from stormy times, but was gradually disappearing. Lord Rosebery had told the delegates in one of the greatest speeches ever heard that there was a hush over Europe, betokening a possible cataclysm. Since then there. had been the cry of a united people, uttering the one word, "Empire." • ~ Mr Fenwick (Dunedin) also responded. He came to England expecting that the "All-Red" cable would be the principal subject for deliberation, but this had given place to the greater question of unity of defence of the Empire. All the delegates had been struck by the earnestness of leading men in that question.: It was being declared on the Continent that the_ Conference speeches savoured of panic. Could anyone present imagine such a thing ? The speeches were the logical outcome o£ the devotion of statesmen who had been considering Imperial problems for years. The Conference was animated, not by panic or even alarm, but by quiet resoluteness. Unity off Empire was beyond discussion. The Home Government was in accord with' the Dependencies. All knew that there was no chance of severance.

The French-Canadian delegate also responded.