SIR GEORGE REID.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9168, 17 March 1910, Page 2

SIR GEORGE REID.

BANQUETED IN LONDON.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Per Press Association.! LONDON, March 16. Lord Crewe, speaking at the banquet to Sir George Reid, said the duties of Agents-General were in no wise entrenched upon Sir George Reid's arrival. He thought the comparison of a High Commissioner and Agents and Ambassadors were singularly infelicitous. He preferred to regard them as Imperial statesmen whose duties were partly to look after the parts of the Empire which they represent, but also to be able to opinions on many Imperial problems without partv trammels. He thought it unlikely that the present arrangements whereby the Secretary for the Colonies looked after business connected with the overseas Dominions and the Crown Colonies would be permanent. A separation of the duties

was probable within the near future. | The idea of the Imperial Council could be best promoted by taking the oversea Dominions into confidence, and whenever the interests of the Dominions were concerned with any diplomatic problem, placing the utmost confidence in the statesmen of the Dominions. . Sir George Reid, in replying, re-

called the rich stream of emigration to the Australian goldfields. "We now saw," he said, ' in the rising greatness of Australia, in her rapidly increasing strength and industry, and the growing volume of her trade, , the magnificent dividends which Australia was rendering under British colonisation and enterprise. The Australian svstem of government represented perhaps the largest measure of ' trust in the people' and freedom tor the community that was to-day visible on the world's face. The task of developing the Commonwealth was iust as much an Imperial task as the settling of Home political difficulties, and it was a task which excited no party difficulties. The Imperial and Colonial Governments could unite m using the utmost influence to secuie suitable British emigrants for the Empire's Dominions. Many suggestions had been made foi adding o the ties of undoubted affection now existing, and in considering them statesmen had a most anxious task.

that of re-conciliating free play of self interest with enlightened regard for the Empire's welfare." Mentioning, amid _ cheers, Australia's voluntary granting of preference to the Motherland, Sir George Reid remarked that he felt bound to go further and add that Australia had a strong desire to go further and reach reciprocal arrangements (cheeis) but the desire had never, as far as he could see, got the length of sacrificing its own growing manufactures. Received March 17, 8.20 a.m. LONDON, March 16.

Sir George Reid, concluding, said: he say another thing, namely, that an insinuation that Australia s loyalty was mixed with the fiscal question and depended on the Motherland's answer to these questions o. preference and reciprocity, was an unfounded slander—(cheers). Until any new departure was accepted it must be based on the conviction that it embodied the advantage of strengthening the Motherland and Australia alike. Australians would scorn it if it was at the expense of the Motherland. „ , The Times hopes Lord Crew s remark foreshadows the affairs of tne Dominions coming, under the immediate cognisance of the Premier.