PREMIERS AND PILGRIMS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8792, 22 April 1907, Page 2

PREMIERS AND PILGRIMS.

Press Association—Copyright LONDON) April 20 Lord Roberts presided at the Pilgrims’ Club banquet to the Premiers. The brilliant gathering of 350 included the Dukes of Argyll, Devonshire, and Sutherland, the Marquis of Salisbury, Earl of Cawdor, and Lords Crewe, Carrington, Elgin. Amongst others present were ex-Ministers, the American Ambassador, Mr Reeves, and Lord Strafhcona. The America Pilgrims telegraphed good wishes to the Premiers, who they said are not the least shining lights of the Empire. Sir Edward Grey, in proposing the toast of the Premiers, said the greatest glory of the Empire was the relations between the Motherland and the self-governing colonies. The word “colony" now meant freedom, and “Empire” meant loyal affection. Our future depended on our being true to ourselves and true to each other. It had formerly been believed that freedom and union were incompatible, but now we show they are not only compatible but inseparable. Mr Deakin regarded the Conference as the germ of an association which _ would enable the Premiers to speak in the Mother’s house without hated breath, because they were members of the same family. He believed that Great Britain would become Greatest Britain during the present century. Hitherto the Empire had been able to stand sustained by mutual affection, but he feared its sea power would not remain unchallenged. Australia in undertaking the task of self-development hoped to accomplish for the Empire in the southern seas the certainty of ports with security for commence and coaling stations for Imperial warships and food supplies for Imperial squadrons. They had some near European neighbours in the south seas within striking distance who would not have been there if the British Government bad listened to Australia’s early warnings. When reproached with being sensii tivo and alarmed, Australia was unable to i I regret that it was not her fault that strangers held a citadel so near her own. Australians refused to believe that Australian interests could be separated from those of the whole Empire. Could Australia lose or gain anything that the Empire did not lose or gam, if they really were, as believed, one people with one policy, one flag, one throne ? Wore there Australian interests which were not Imperial ? The Premiers desired to stand back to back against tho common enemies of the Empire. . Sir Joseph Ward stated that New Zealand to a large extent re-echoed Mr Deakin’s sentiments, though in some details she did not see eye to eye. They preferred in Now Zealand efforts to render every man able to assist to defend their hearths and homes. Having a smaller coast line than Australia New Zealanders were convinced that their best policy was, instead of establishing an independent navy to make material contributions of money and men to the British navy, because they know, should trouble arise, their country’s future would depend not upon any settlement by guns of their warships at the mouths of their rivers, but upon events happening thousands of miles away. (Applause). Lord Roberts responded, declaring that the vast majority of the nation earnestly hoped that tho Conference would promote Imperial unity.