OVERSEAS PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATIVES

Nelson Evening Mail, 6 July 1916, Page 5

OVERSEAS PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE OP 'COMMONS DINNER. (Australian and N.Z. 'Cable Association.) LONDON, July 4. The Right Hon. J. H. Lowther, Speaker of the House of Commons, presided *at a luncheon in honour of tha overseas Parliamentary delegates at the House of Commons. The New Zealand, Canadian and South African delegates were present. Mr Balfour proposed the toast of "The Visitors." He said' they had never received representatives of .the Dominions at a- more interesting and impressive moment. They had hot come merely as spectators of the greatest drama, but \tere themselves taking, an' essential and all important share in it. Englishmen /frequently- endeavoured to analyse the "bonds of Empire, a political organisation which was unparalleled in the world's -history, and wondered whether bonds of common sympathies and ideals would stand the strain of .1 world catastrophe. The present stress might have well-destroyed a more close-ly-knit organisation. We knew hoV ."t had stood the test. That would be. one of the marvels of history. There was no greater triumph of our* race. German philosophers declared that her army kept Germany together. In quite a different sense the British Army to-dav "was one of the bonds of the Empire The troops of Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand were fight ing with a single heart for a common purpose, unitedi by the same magnificent and glorious deeds, and' sharing a joint heritage of heroism. "I am not troubling myself about the future -constitution of the Empire," Mr Balfour continued. "I am- confident :if the solution of th_e problem because; we ■are bound tpgetlier essentially and, fundamentally. We share cojnmon ideals liberty _ and good government, and! we are determined- that our -unity-, shall not be broken. What we. demand for ourselves we are endeavouring to preserve for other nations. o,iir -resolution to brin<» the, war to a successful -conclusion hardens every moment." •