RIGHT HON. MR BRYCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3040, 19 June 1912, Page 5

RIGHT HON. MR BRYCE.

RECEPTION IN WELLINGTON WELLINGTON, June 11

The Bight ±ion. James j>ryoe, JJiti.sh Amhassauor at Washington, Wiu> given a civic reception to-day In his speech Mr Bryce said be could not adequately express tiis pleasure it afforded mm w visit a country to which he had so long intended to make a pilgrimage, but which at one time seemed very unlikely to eventuate. Now, however, that he had got heTe he was deeply touched by the cordiality of the greeting extended nim. He did not think he hau ever met so many ex-Mayore of a city at a cri vie gathering befcre. He thanked his old friend, Sir Joseph Ward, for his kindly references, and he deeply appreciated the kind words of the otner speakers. As regarded the United States, his course had always been to endeavour to smooth away the outstanding causes of friction. Not that the friction was of a dangerous or far-reaching character, but there were many little causes of friction, and he was glad to be able to state now after a lapse of six years that not one of those causes of friction remained. — (Applause.) They had all been disposed of by treaties or otherwise. It had been a great pleasure to him to have lived so close to Canada and to be in the position of visiting Canada frequently. He spoke pf the regard in which the Motherland and the Empire were cherished there, as it was in other colonies. It would not be fitting on his part after a stay of nine days in New Zealand to. offer any opinion with regard to the economic, social, and political questions which occupied the people of New Zealand. He had travelled enough to know the danger of hasty generalisations, and that it was only by careful observation that one could arrive at a just estimate of tilings. Still, he hoped to learn as much as-he could. Whether he would ever be bold enough to record, any impressions gathered he could not at that moment say, but he could at least say that he would be glad to convey any impressions which he thought of value to his Government and his friends in tha Old Land. Speaking from such impressions as he had gamed, he might be pardoned for saying with what immense satisfaction he liad noticed in New Zealand the existence of an upright and honest administration of local affairs. It was in local politics that men obtained their education and the necessary experience for dealing with the.higher and more responsible form of government. It was only where a wise, honest, and efficient conduct of local affairs existed that wide Swers could be entrusted. He could not Ip congratulating New Zealand on possessing such harbours, surrounded with such magnificent scenery. He emphasised the importance of the municipalities doinir everything possible for the adornment of the beauty of their cities, so that their natural advantages could be displayed. Throughout his life he had never ceased to preach the value of open spaces and public parks and playgrounds. These benefited the citizens as a whole, but they particularly benefited the poorer people. He rejoiced to think that the people of New Zealand had realised this. Whereever he had travelled he had been greatly struck by the peculiar and distinctive beauty of the scenery of the country. New Zealand was one of the most attractive countries he had ever visited, and in this respect it was pleasing to know that Parliament had taken steps to conserve some of the national beauties of the country. He outlined the grave effect which followed extensive deforestation, and strongly commended a wide and comprehensive policy of tree-planting to provide timber in future years. He had seen what was being done at Rotorua in this direction, and he would say, if he were permitted to do so, that there was nothing to which Parliament could better direct itself than, the problem of reafforestation. *' We are all trustees for posterity," he said, " and we are glad to think of those who will come after us. We are bound to think of those who will blame or praise os in the years to come." Mr Bryce spoke in appreciative terms of the friendly feeling existing between the white people of this country and the Native race, ana the manner in which ancient Maori relics and the customs of the abo-

j riginal people had been preserved. This ! 'at least was one country in the world where the white race and the native people lived in perfect peace and harmony. —(Applause.) "To me," he added, "that is a source of unfeigned pleasure and satisfaction." He was sure the good feeling would exist with the native people in the islands which were under the tutelage of New Zealand. He congratulated New Zealand on the fact that the population from outside sources was coming, as it always had, from the British Isles, and that it did not come in suddeh rushes. He was inclined to think that it would have been better for the United States-if her population had arrived more steadily and slowly. New Zealand had a pure British stock. A democracy could not exist where there was not a constant and honest sense of public duty. Everyone had to be interested in the affaire of government, and everyone had to endeavour to maintain a high spirit of public duty. When New Zealand was colonised she had the advantage of having in the ranks of her first settlers many men of high standing and learning. At Homo that had been of great value. " I hope," he concluded, " that that sense of public duty which makes experiments succeed, even if they are not wholly successful at first, will be constantly in evidence here. Without particularising, I may say that what you do here is being earnestly watched. We sympathise with your aims and your aspirations, and we earnestly hope and trust that your efforts will make New Zealand a great, prosperous, and happy nation."—(Applause.) ENTERTAINED AT WELLINGTON. A STIRRING SPEECH. WELLINGTON, June 13. The Right Hon. J. Bryce, Ambassador for the British Government to the United States, was entertained at lunch at the Now Zealand Club to-day. Lord Islington (patron of the club) presided, and amongst those present were Mr P. C. Freeth (pre bident of the club). Sir Joseph Ward, M*F. M. B. Fisher, M"l\, the Hon. C. M. Luke, and many prominent men in commercial and professional c'rcles. His Excellency the Governor briefly referred to the good which could be accomplished by such institutions as the New Zealand Club. Ho also referred in eulogistic terms to the long, honoured, ai:d valuable services which Mr Bryce had rendered the Empire. His diplomatic and polit'cal services were not even dwarfed by his literary work.- (Applause.) Mr Bryce, in replying, touched upon many matters of national import in a manner " which frequently evoked hearty applause from the crowded gathering. In a few well chosen words he acknowledged the heartiness of the welcome accorded him. He alluded to the striking success of the Canadian Clubs in Canada (on which the New Zealand Club is based). The movement had been a remarkable one. It had enabled men of all political opinions to be brought together, and had had an immense influence on the public life of that great dominion. Further, it had been largely responsible for fostering the spirit of Canadian nationality, which was closely and inevitably linked with every opportunity for strengthening Canadian attachment for the Mother Country and the advance of Imperial interests. All felt that Imperial interests were quite above party ties. These clubs gave one an admirable idea of the things which were greatest, and which could be beat discussed when no party issue hid. been brought forward. The people in these distant parts of the Empire represented those on whom the destinies of the nation would largely rely. The British Empire had been a mighty factor in the progress of tho world Never had there been in the history of the world an Empire found on similar principles to ours. Our Eiupire was a disunited one and united, strange to say, by the soa. It was tho sea which brought Captain Cook here to make New Zealand one of the brightest jewels in tlie Empire. It was by the sea that our Empire was held together. The eea had always been associated with freedom, and tho British nation rested in the crucibles of the security of self-government—that was, government in the hands of the citizens. In one sense wo were not so irmch an Empire as an aggregation of States and nat.iotns We were one in things whioh bound ua together, and one in our language. If these and other things made us one, ne earnestly hoped they would keep us one. Wo were one in our opportunities and one in our responsibilities. He alluded to the

baokward nations s which were under the British flag, and appealed for the upliftment of these people who had not yet got self-government. It would be quite impossible for one Government in England to deal .with all the problems of self-govern-ment as the nropor outgrowth r>f out conditions and economic necessities. What was necessary to make the Empire stronger? Chiefly that we should have a greater knowledge of one another. In New Zealand tha people were well served by their press, which da-ily recorded the most important happenings in the O'ld Land. Again, the days were long past when the people in England knew little about the self-governing colonies. He hoped, on the other hand, that no one here would consider that his education was complete till he had visited the Old Country, and in going there hchoped all visitors would travel via Canada. He hoped the people here tried to follow Canadian affairs. "They have much to teach you," he said, "and' you have much to teach us." He touched on the navy, and warmly congratulated New Zealand on its support of that great service. What New Zealand was doing for the navy was a source of universal prido and satisfaction. He was not one of those who believed that the peace of the world was seriously threatened, but still we had to be prepared to present a united and powerful front. - It was a cardinal necessity that we had to be safe froni invasion. Wo were held together by great and' glorious ties and traditions, handed down through many, centuriss, and l it was one of our highest missions to keep the peace of the world. If wo kept peace it was almost a. certainty that the rest of the world would '■'keep it. " Let me venture to say in conclusion," he , remarked, amidst loud applause, " that what is our is yours, and that what is yours is ours."

(Fbom Ottb Own Correspondent. J WELLINGTON, June 13. Mr Bryce met with quite an ovation, the audience rising and cheering him heartily. He delivered a. thoughtful, serious address, that must have left an iirdelible impression with his audience. Mr Bryce is certainly a remarkable man. We had not long passed from his introductory remarks when the solo impression was one of deep knowledge and splendid mental vigour. Here was no flamboyant Jingoist. but a true Imperialist —the type of man that the British Government should make a point of sending on a tour of the overseas dominions, not only to gain but also to impart knowledge. As he stood at the table with his hands behind his back one could scarcely realise that nearly fifty years ago, and long before the great majority of us wore born, he had already made his reputation as a historian by the writing of that classic, "The Roman Empire " ; that he was the author of that monumental work, " The American Commonwealth " ; that he was a famous jurist, historian, and politician, and that he had been a notable mountain 1 climber, and as late as 1901 president of the Alpine Club. He urged the importance of defence as one of the things that would draw us closer together as air Empire, and said he was one of those who took a hopeful view of tho peace of the world. In these views he Rhowed perhaps just a trace of that ardent liberalism that was a distinguishing feature of his connection with British jwlitics, but was, of course, dropped when he entered upon hiis ambassadorial career. No Little Englander, and while he is not a pessimist in regard to the world's peace, he holds that it is absolutely necessary for the British dominions to present not only a united but a strong front to every point from which possible danger may come. Altogether, the speech made a deep impression upon those whose privilege it was to listen to it.