THE OVERSEAS DOMINIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14690, 26 May 1911, Page 7

THE OVERSEAS DOMINIONS.

PREMIERS ENTERTAINED.

SPEECH BY THE DUKE OF

CONNAUGHT.

DESTINY OF. CANADA.

A FREE BRITISH NATION.

ITINERANT GOVERNORS.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S IDEA.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received May 25. 11 p.m.)

London, May 25. The banquet given by the Royal Colonial Institute in honour of the visiting Premiers at the Hotel Cecil last evening was the largest and most successful function of the kind in the history of the Institute.

The Duke of Connaught presided, and thoso present included Lorus, Kitchener, Lucas Under-Secretary for the Colonies), Denman (Federal Governor-General-designate), Strathcona (High Commissioner for Canada), Lamington (ex-Governor of Queensland), and Stanhope, and Sir George Reid (High Commissioner for Australia), Sir William HallJones (High Commissioner for New Zealand), Dr. Findlay (New Zealand Attorney-General), Sir T. Vezey Strong (Lord Mayor of London), and many prominent colonials. GREAT AND INDISSOLUBLE. The Duke of Connaught, in proposing the toast of The Overseas Dominions," said that Conferences such as that which was now being held undoubtedly worked for the well-being of the Empire, welding its parts into one great indissoluble whole. The evolution of self-govern-ment in the Dominions was one of the most important British contributions to Imperial science. He earnestly hoped that the universities of the Empire would give that theme a definite compulsory place in the curriculum for degrees for proficiency in modern history.

Judging by statistics that had just been made available, there were indications that Canada would receive half-a-million immigrants in 1911, making a population of 8,000,000. He noted with satisfaction that they were fully adopting the Old Country's institutions. He emphasised the requirements of defence, and Canada's determination to co-operate closely with the British navy. He mentioned that Australia was seriously undertaking immigration. He referred to New Zealand's unbroken career of prosperity. The immigrants that New Zealand received, though apparently restricted, were of the highest quality. He 'mentioned' that ' Australia and New Zealand were profiting by Lord Kitchener's visit, and said it was gratifying to see the readiness of the young men to perform service. He recalled New Zealand's spontaneous offer of one or two Dreadnoughts, and its enormous effect in awakening the Motherland. He was more than ever satisfied that the foundation stone of the South African Union had in every sense been well and truly laid. FUTURE OF CANADA. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who was the first to respond, said that there might be doubts and misgivings as to Canada's future. Some considered that they had come to a parting of the ways. Canada had no doubt as to the way she would follow. If any existed let all doubts cease. Canada had shaped her course, and intended to remain a nation within the Empire. The nineteenth century belonged to the United States, but the twentieth to Canada, which was drawing 100,000 people annually from the States. There was no danger of severance from British connection as long as the country was given freedom, liberty, and happiness.

AUSTRALIA'S NEEDS. Mr. Fisher said that were Australia in Canada's fortunate position of being alongside 70,000,000 people of similar ideas to their own, she would not fear a peaceful invasion, for there was room and untold wealth within her borders. If ' Australia were nearer Europe she would be better understood, and attract more of the Motherland's people. He hoped that representative men of the kingdom would follow the example of the King and Queen and visit and discover Australia's necessities for themselves.

VISITS TO THE DOMINIONS. , Sir Joseph Ward declared that if they could have seen what had occurred in New Zealand this Empire Day they would have seen 30,000 cadets honouring the flag of old England. New Zealand ■. realised that there was no better foundation for defence than commencing with the youth of the schools. He ap-. proved of the suggestion of the Duke of Connaught regarding the curriculum of universities. He thought that Governors and Governors-Gen-eral should be instructed not to remain a whole term within a particular Dominion, but to make a periodical exchange.. Why should not the Duke of Connaught go for a few months to Australia and then to New Zealand, and Lord Denman go from Australia to New Zealand and Canada. Let British Ministers, let the whole Cabinet, come to the Dominions for a month or two during the recess. (Laughter and cheers.)

Sir Joseph concluded by acknowledging Mr. Harcourt's courtesy and kindness to the Premiers since their arrival in London.

out the length and breadth of this country, and if without any presumption it could be Tioard also beyond the frontier, I would say to our American neighbours, flattering as may bo to their pride the idea that the territory of the Republic should extend over the whole continent, from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the waters of the Arctic Ocean, remember that wo Canadians were born under tho same flag as were your ancestors, a flag under which, perhaps, you may have suffered some oppression, but which to us has been and is more than over the emblem of freedom. (Great cheering.) Remember that if you have founded a nation upon separation from the Mother Land, we Canadians have set our hearts upon building up a nation without separation, and in this task we are already far advanced with our institutions, with our national entity as a people, and with everything that constitutes a nation to whom we are just as devoted as you arc to yours. (Cneers.) Remember that the blood which flows in our veins is just as good as your own, and that if you are a proud people, though we are not of your numbers we are just as proud as you are, and that rather than part with our national existence wo would part with our lives. (Renewed cheering.) If my voice could bo heard that far, 1 would presume to say to our American friends, there may be a spectacle perhaps nobler yet than the spectacle of a united continent, a spectacle which would astound the world by its novelty and grandeur, the spectacle of two peoples living side by side for a distance of 4000 miles, a line which is hardly visible in many quarters, with not a cannon, not a gun frowning across it, with not a fortress on either side, with no armament one against the other, but living in harmony, in mutual confidence, and with no other rivalry than generous emulation in commerce and the arts of peace. (Great Liberal cheers.) To the Canadian people I would say that if it is possible for us to obtain such relations between, these two young and growing nations, Canada would "have rendered to Old England, the mother of nations, nay, to, the whole British Empire, a service unequalled in its present effect, and still more in its far-reaching consequences. (Prolonged Liberal cheering.)"