EMPIRE'S TASKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23200, 26 May 1937, Page 9

EMPIRE'S TASKS

SURVEYED BY MR BALDWIN HIS LAST PUBLIC SPEECH GREAT RECEPTION AT BANQUET (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright* LONDON, May 24. Mr Stanley Baldwin made his last public speech as Prime Minister when he was a guest with the Empire Prime Ministers at an Empire Day and Coronation banquet arranged by the combined Empire societies at Grosvenor House. One hundred and twenty distinguished people of the Empire sat at the top table, above which were draped the flags of the dominions and colonies. When the loyal toasts had been drunk permission was given to smoke, and Mr Baldwin produced his familiar briar pipe. He was the only man smoking a pipe at a gathering of 1200, which was representative of the whole Empire, and which gave a notable demonstration when Mr Baldwin was called on to propose the toast of the British Commonwealth.

The audience rose, pounded the tables, shouted greetings, sang " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and gave three cheers for the Prime Minister.

Mr Baldwin, deeply moved, thanked the assembly, saying there was no greater proof of affection than was provided in the singing of that popular national air before a speaker made a speech. He could not have a greater honour than to propose the toast of the British Commonwealth in such a company. Mr Baldwin surveyed at length the Empire's growth ai\d tasks, and hoped that soon some of the best men in the dominions would be trained as men to assist in governing the colonies. There could not be a finer work than this for people of our history and traditions. Mr Baldwin referred approvingly to the ardent desire, newly expressed at the Imperial Conference, that the Empire might well exist to help the world besides themselves, so demonstrating their ideals to the world that they might ultimately triumph. He urged the necessity for concentrating on points of agreement rather than on their differences. He added: " The country can do without logic, but not without common sense; therefore, we should not be overkeen to define the Constitution, which, if we do so, may split the Empire into fragments." He added that the British people at Coronation time opened their hearts, into which the Empire representatives walked, causing such a family feeling that if it continued throughout history it might prove the most binding force under the headship of the King. . Mr Mackenzie King, replying, paid an eloquent tribute to Mr Baldwin's unsurpassed understanding of the dominions. The guests included Mr and Mrs Lyons, Mr and Mrs Casey, Sir Archdale and Lady Parkhill, Mr Savage, Mr Nash, Mr Bruxner, and Mr and Mrs Bruce. WELL-BEING OF THE EMPIRE LONDON, May 24. •The Times, editorially commenting on Mr Baldwin's speech, says: "He gave wise counsel to men responsible for the well-being of the new Empire.' It is clearly his conviction that the bond between the dominions and the stability of their combination in an emergency will be stronger according to the forbearance they, show each other's idiosyncrasies."