SAFEGUARDS OF EMPIRE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19375, 13 July 1937, Page 12

SAFEGUARDS OF EMPIRE

POPULATION AND NAVY SPEECHES IN LONDON AUSTRALIA IN A MIRROR LONDON, June 1. At the inaugural dinner of the new Australian Club, Mr. Winston Churchill, M.P., said that Britain would go to the aid of Australia in a crisis "as long as Britons had breath in their bodies ”

He advised Australia lo build a battleship. Mr. Churchill, who proposed, the health of the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Lyons, declared that there had been many clubs in London, but not before .a club for a, continent.

Britain had not forgotten Australia’s splendid response in the war, and was at present taking steps to protect her, he added. The Singapore base was not a menace to any nation. It was as far from Japan as Southampton was from New York, but it was a steppingstone which Britain could use in a crisis to go to the aid of Australia and New Zealand.

‘ “Thje Empire is faced with grave uncertainties, but what is certain is that the Dominions and Britain stand together,” he added. “The navy still has its part to play. There is no surer way of placing Australia definitely in a position of major safety than by the Commonwealth constructing a battleship, which few would come to challenge. Another safeguard is population. That brings me to Mr. Lyons, who has 11 children. Mr. Churchill, after the laughter had subsided, went on to pay a tribute to Mr. Lyons as the pilot who had steered Australia from near bankruptcy to prosperity. Mr. Lyons a Beacon

Mr. Lyons, replying, emphasised the importance of the Australian Club in London to further Australia’s ideals. He deprecated the compliments which Mr. Churchill had paid to him, declaring that the bulk of the Commonwealth’s credit recovery had been due to his colleagues and to the Australian people.

“But I get the bouquets,” he added humorously. “I am hardly a pilot, but a beacon. When population difficulties arise, you have to keep your eye on the beacon. All will be well if you keep aiming at it all the time.”

Mr. Lyons went on to recall Australia’s sacrifices in the war, which, he declared, had amazed a prominent Italian close to Signor Mussolini. Mr. Lyons said that Australia’s recovery from the depression was not fully comprehended in England. The recovery had been due, not to the politicians, but to the workers who had suffered poverty and loss of their jobs, but had still shown the same magnificent spirit as they had done during the war. The High Commissioner for Australia (Mr. S. M. Bruce) also deserved the gratitude of the Commonwealth, added Mr. Lyons. Mr. Bruce had carried through conversion loan operations, resulting in a saving of more than £3,000,000 a year. The Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (Sir Thomas Inskip) paid a tribute to the value of Mr. Bruce’s interventions at the Imperial Conference.

Mr. Bruce, who presided, read a message from the Duke of Gloucester, accepting the presidency of the club, also the reply to the Duke, expressing the hope that he would again visit the Commonwealth, accompanied by his wife.

“Would Sweep the Country” “If Mr. Churchill’s speech, and the Prime Minister’s reply, were distributed throughout Australia,” said ona guest after the dinner, “Mr. Lyons would sweep the country at the next election.”

It may be a matter of opinion how far the Australian electorate would follow Mr. Churchill. The fact remains that he struck a high note in the initial toast and lifted a gathering already distinguished by a brilliant guest v list right out of the ruck of such functions. Mr. Churchill’s references to Australians generally, and Mr. Lyons in particular drew, even for the many there, a more vivid picture than they had previously carried in their minds of the disastrous possibilities facing the Commonwealth when Mr. Lyons took office, and his courageous and effective handling of his work.

It was, in fact, an English mirror. Our affairs have been upheld by a publicist, an observer of great experience and capacity, and, for once, seeing ourselves as others see us was a flattering experience, while for the English section of the audience, the speaker’s review of events crystallised them in a manner most helpful to Australia’s reputation and credit. Mr. Lyons, in his reply, adopted his most simple and most appealing style. Though he did not use his favourite phrase, “my mates,” that was the spirit in which he disclaimed any personal credit. He praised his, colleagues for all they had achieved. He did not lack assertiveness, however, when claiming his countrymen courage and dependability in all their loyalties and contracts. The speech has definitely enhanced the high personal esteem in which Mr Lyons is held here.