SPEECH BY MR ASQUITH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3249, 21 June 1916, Page 26

SPEECH BY MR ASQUITH.

MUCH TO INSPIRE US. LONDON, June 14. Mr Asquith, addressing his constituents at Ladybank, alluded to Lord Kitchener's boundless devotion, serving his country from the first day of the Avar until his death. It was impossible to forget that embodiment of virile force and resolution. In the plenitude of his powers he had gone forth to his doom, leaving a place in our constitutional life which nobody else could fill. His memory would live as long as the Empire. He bequeathed us an array of armies, and it remains with us to make the best use of them in the allied cause.

Mr Asquith proceeded to survey the military situation, in which he found much to inspire us. The Russian advance was one of the most brilliant feats of the war.—(Cheers.) The Italians, with indomitable spirit, were resisting more effectively every day the Austrian onslaught, and nothing could exceed the valour of our gallant French allies in maintaining the defence of Verdun.

The co-operation between the General Staffs of all the Allies was becoming every month more intimately complete. He could not over-emphasise the fact that, this war was not merely a struggle between armies, but also one of material and economic resources, and the latter might well be the deciding factors in the long run. Mr Asqnith paid a tcibute to the navy's continuous and unceasing vigilance and effectiveness in the matter of the blockade. The enemy's rashness of May 31 had allowed the world to see another more stirring and more dramatic aspect of our navy's qualities. That action was worthy of our navy's best and most treasured traditions. The enemy had been driven back to their ports, and had made no effort to grapple with the main body of our fleet. Yet they had the temerity to claim as a victory what was really a rout. A couple more such " victories " and there would be nothing left of the German navy worth noticing. The crucial question was the effect on our sea command, and that remained not only unimpaired but more firmly and unshakably established.

The recent deplorable rioting in Ireland, leading to the cruel loss of many innocent lives, had created a situation which the majority of responsible Irishmen of all parties realised demanded a settlement. The history of Anglo-Irish relations in the past exhibited a tragic series of missed or misused opportunities. Let us not add another. The desire exists for'an immediate provisional settlement, and after the war we shall take stock of our internal relations. Necessarily the fabric of Empire will then be refashioned, and Anglo-Irish and Anglo-dominion relations will be brought in close and connected review. He commended that view to his countrymen, both in Britain and Ireland.

He had spent the week in conversing with all sorts of judges, bishops, and Sinn Feiners. Every Irishman appreciated the folly of the inopportune rising, .and the greater folly of a contemplated renewal cf civil strife after the war. The pages of history did not disclose a more moving spectacle than the eager loyalty and unsparing devotion with which all parts of the Empire rallied to the Mother Country. It would never be possible, with such an Imperial record, to revert to the old methods of government. The Prime Minister concluded: "It has fallen to me to carry a heavier burden of care and responsibility than any fellowsubject, but it is a source of unfailing satisfaction to know that I am sustained by the confidence and sympathy of those whom I am striving to serve."

British assistance, Mr Asquith mentioned, had been offered to Genera! Joffrc. Sound strategy would dictate all steps taken, and every action would be taken after closely concerted consideration. Mr Asquith added: " When peace is established we will have to take stock as an Empire and of our internal relations. There was never a more moving spectacle than the profusion with which the dominions have lavished help upon the Mother Country in this war, which they feel is being waged in a just and righteous cause, but in the making of which they had no voice. Australia and New Zealand have given us the now familiar word ' Anzac '—a word which for generations to come will make schoolboys thrill with pride. Canada ha-s again and again been in the forefront of the battlefields in France and Flanders, and Generals Botha and Smuts have been conducting a masterly campaign in Africa with the utmost skill and tenacity." " RECONSTRUCTING THE EMPIRE." LONDON, June 15. The newspapers give prominence to Mr Asquith's references to reconstructing the Empire. The Daily Telegraph says: "Mr Asquith evidently contemplates summoning a great Imperial Conference, which will frame the details of the outline for a new Imperial Constitution on lines of a supreme central authority and complete self-government of its parts. Now that the head of the British Government has formally declared that it is time to consider this gigantic problem, it will assume a new aspect, and the Irish problem will sink into proper perspective. The Times says : "Mr Asquith's statement will be received with deep satisfaction wherever the British flag flies. He sees that after this Imperial war, in which all the sister nations have lavished blood and treasure for the common cause, the old order must pass away. Never more can we invite proud self-governing democracies to support us in wars in declaring which they have no part." The Daily Chronicle says : "Mr Asquith's words regarding a general Imperial reconstruction carry the matter forward to a new phase." The Daily Mail says : " When the war is over, much more will be needed than casual attendances of overseas Ministers at Cabinet councils or meetings for Imperial defence. We must pass in close and collective review the relations between the Motherland and the dominions, Crown colonies, and dependencies. At present we have next to no unity, no machinery for co-operative action, no common trade policy, no visible organic alliance, no definite system of government."

AN EMPIRE IN FACT. LONDON, Juno 15. Speaking at a luncheon tendered to Mr Ryan, Premier of Queensland, by Mr A. Fisher, Mr Arthur Henderson, M.P., said it was almost impossible to find language to express gratitude for the overseas dominions' assistance in the war. When tlie war was over responsible statesmen must see that the Empire is shaped in some permanent mould. We wanted an Empire not merely in name, but an Empire in fact. The colonies must be enabled to express their views on great national policy.