EMPIRE'S CHIEF NEED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18088, 12 May 1922, Page 5

EMPIRE'S CHIEF NEED.

CHEAPER COMMUNICATIONS.

LORD NORTHCLIFFE'S VIEWS A. and N.Z. LONDON, May 10.

The Empire Press Union entertained Lord Northcliffe at luncheon at tho Hotel "Victoria. The United States Ambassador, Colonel G. Harvey, prominent journalists, and many Australians were present. Lord Northcliffe, responding to the toast of his health, referred to tho advancement of w"rcles3 and said: "If we use this weapon wisely wo may alter the relations of tho whole world. Various parts of tho Empire have suffered from cable breakdowns, but that will probably be changed before long, for improvements and advancements are likely during the next few months and will have a great influence.

" The dangers of ignorance within the Empire are largely caused by high shipping freights, high passenger tickets, and more especially bv high cable rates. These things can hardly be overrated. English people are not watching Canada closely enough. I allude to tho slur of the cattle embargo, for which there is no justification." Lord Northcliffe added : " When I was in Australia, where I spoko plainly of tho fact that immigrants were needed there, I was naturally a.ttacked by the labour organisations, who do not want people; but I was warmly thanked by many thoughtful and travelled Australians. The Australians are not an intolerant, people; 1 mado speeches in hotbeds of labour, and severe consequences were predicted, but such action did not, occur. We somewhat misunderstand the Dominions' relations with the Motherland. Wherever I went in Australia the first thought whs loyalty to the Crown. The people referred to English politicians with flippancy, and to Australians with ridicule, but were always devoted to the Crown. I consider the New Zealanders the most English peoplo in the world."