A SPLENDID PREDICTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4824, 29 November 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

A SPLENDID PREDICTION.

BY ME CHAMBERLAIN. The defence of British interests abroad aud the reorganisation of newly acquired territories were inseparably linked with the greater scheme by which we could hope to make our Empire something more than a mere geographical expression. IV e hoped to make it a living entity in which eacn part should contribute to the success aud the security of the whole. Throughout tho war in South Africa there w-as no part of tiio Empire so distant, as measured by leagues ot sea or miles of land, in wn-ich the emotions of tiio people had not vibrated liko tho beautiful instrument of Marconi s invention to a similar sentiment in tho Motherland, while they had remained absolutely insensible and inaccessible to influences of an unfriendly or an unsympathetic description. Tho lesson of all was our strength iu unity. It had been, ho thought, somewhat of a revelation to tho world. It liad taught us that we no longer stood alone. That common impulse of sacrifice must not bo allowed to weaken; wo must cultivate the sense of mutual obligation and responsibility. AVhat had struck him more than anything else at tho conference of colonial Premiers was their desire to strengthen the bonds which bind ns together. That was . our aspiration: that was the goal to whiou we were directing all our efforts. Thoro were two main avenues by which to reach that end—lmperial defence and Imperial trade. It would not bo right, it would not bo wise, to force the pace, to ask our colonies to do moro than their own goodwill would suggest, and he recognised—ho always had done —that these, two islands which.wo called tho United Kingdom, as they had the headship of the race, must bo willing to bear even a greater proportion than might bo arithmetically their due—the responsibility of tho proud position they hold. Ho believed that tho conference which they were holding would load to considerable results, and would mark a considerable advance. If that were so. we might be content with the present and look forward without misgivings to tho future. Tho twentieth century heralded a new chapter in our history. No longer had we to write tho annals of a kingdom, hut the history of an Empire. The creative work of this generation was to lay broad and deep the foundations upon which should be built the edifice of our future greatness; and might wo not say. with Milton: "Methinks I eeo a noble and puissant nation, awaking as a strong man from sloop and shaking her invincible locks. Methinks I see her liko an e-agle mewing licr mighty youth and- kindling her undazzled eyes in the midday beam." That was the promise that was before us.