ADVANCEMENT OF EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18279, 21 December 1922, Page 9

ADVANCEMENT OF EMPIRE.

NEW SECRETARY'S POLICY.

CO-OPERATION HIS AIM.

AVOIDING INTERFERENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received 4.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Dec. 19. The Australian and New Zealand Luncheon Club entertained the Duke of Devonshire, Secretary of State for the Colonies. Sir Joseph Cook, High Commissioner for Australia, who presided, toasting the health of the. guest, said that all were proud to see him in his high position. He was a. man of experience in all matters relating to the Empire, with a creat name, for public sei'vjce. Australia had proved herself Britain's second best customer this year, India being the only country which exceeded hor purchases. Australia desired to foster Empire trade, because she found that it paid in the long run. There was better business to bo done within the Empire than outside. He was sure that the Duko of Devonshire was in full sympathy with such aims.

Die Duke of Devonshire said that the club's cordial w-elcome reminded him of the happy time he spent in Canada. When bo re turned to Britain be was disappointed by the lack of that optimism and confidence which was noticeable in Canada. That atmosphere of confidence and hope had been well expressed by Sir Joseph Cook. It was a testimony to tho courage and pluck of the Empire that things were as prosperous as they were. There, were anxious times before them, but if they could apply these qualities to tho future they would prosper in the long run.

The Duke paid a warm tributo to the share of Australia and New Zealand in the war. He appealed to the- Dominions to endeavour to apply to the problems of peace the same high qualities they displayed in wartime.

The Empire possessed resources of every available kind. It was its duty to turn those resources to tho best use and service of mankind. Tho inherited skill, knowledge, brain, and muscle of Britons was required for these purposes. The surest way of advancing the Empire was by allowing the Dominions to work out their salvation in their own v\iy. He hoped that it would be his privilege to work with the Dominions along those lines.

Long ago petty interference by Downing Street caused a great many difficulties. He wished to keep in the closest touch and to work with the Dominions for their material development and at tho same time to givo them full opportunity to take what course they liked.

People outside tho Empire professed to find difficulty in deciding whether tho Empire was one or six. The truth was that it was. both. If was on such lines that they could look forward confidently rand hopefully. The best solution of the problem of the overcrowded areas of Britain was to find for tho people new happy homes oversea-s. They should do everything possible to encourage migration to tho different parts of the Empire. He wanted tho Dominions to regard him as a friend tjid to feel that they deserved his confidence and that he and they could work together for the* advancement of the Empire.