"TALK ABOUT EMPIRE."

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15250, 13 March 1913, Page 7

"TALK ABOUT EMPIRE."

THE TIME FOR ACTION. SPEECH BY MB. ALLEN. ADVICE TO HOME LEADERS. " VISIT THE DOMINIONS." By Telegraph.—Press Association.— Copyright March 11. Me. James Allen, New . Zealand Minister for Defence and Finance, was. entertained at luncheon -to-day by Mr. T. Mackenzie (High Commissioner for New Zealand). , The guests included Mr. Lewis Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies), Sir Walter Buchanan (M.P. for Wairarapa), Sir George Reid (High Commissioner for Australia), Sir Richard Solomon (High Commissioner for South Africa), Sir Wm. Hall-Jones (ex-High Commissioner for New Zealand), Lord Blythe (a member of the executive of the British Empire League), Mr. Cathcart Wasonj M.P., Dr. Chappie, M.P., and many New Zealand visitors. . ■■■•'.■' Mr. Allen, in responding to the toast of his health, emphasised the value of overseas trade to the Motherland. Without depreciating foreign trade, it was better, he said, -for the Motherland to rely on the trade of her own people. There had been a great deal of talk . about Empire in the last few years, and now was the time for action. He urged prominent political leaders to visit the Overseas Dominions and learn something of the outlying portions of the Empire. Sir Walter Buchanan said that he | regretted that there had been little improvement in the handling of frozen meat during the last 20 years. He admitted that the remedy was difficult. Mr. Harcourt proposed the health of Mr. Mackenzie. He said that the Home-Government was grateful for Mr. Allen's advice and assistance in defence. No Englishman would for--get the part that New Zealand had taken in the matter of Empire defence. He wished Sir Wm. HallJones bon voyage on his return to Zealand. EVOLUTION OF EMPIRE. TRADE AND DEFENCE. London, March 11. An address was given by Sir Geo. Reid (High Commissioner for Australia) before the Colonial Institute to-day on " Some Aspects of the Evolution of the British Empire." Lord Brassey presided. Sir George said that despite its imperfections the Empire was a miracle of harmonious working. The three broad objects of closer alliance were, closer trade, stronger defence, and more intimate partnership by a truly Imperial , Parliament and executive. - INFLUENCE OF DOMINIONS. _____ * POTENT FACTOR FOR PEACE. Melbourne, March 12. Commander Thririg, assistant to the Australian Naval Board, in an interview yesterday, stated that the action of the Overseas Dominions in coming splendidly to the assistance of the Empire had a wonderful effect in the United Kingdom, but €he effect was even more marked on the Continent, and the impression created there was most valuable to the Empire. . Britain, he added, would continue shipbuilding just as if the Dominions were not assisting, but the assistance would give Britain exactly the preponderance desired. The outcome would probably be a workable understanding, at any rate, between Britain and Germany. Thus the Dominions will hav9 become a potent factor for peace. The menace of Germany for years had been, a very live factor in the naval development of Europe, but the time was favourable for a better understanding among the Powers.