THE EMPIRE AND THE WAR

Southland Times, Issue 17476, 3 April 1915, Page 3

THE EMPIRE AND THE WAR

HIGH COMMISSIONERS' VIEWS

(From Our Special Correspondent)

LO.NMtOX, February 5. On Thursday, February 4th. which day marked the termination of a period of six months of war. Reuter's Agency obtained the following statements from the High Commissioners of the dominions as to the effect of the conflict upon the relations between the Mother Country and the dominions.

Sir George, Reid. High Commissioner for Australia, said ; • As to the imperial standpoint, what magnificent responses have come from every pearler of the vast area and the numberless races which are gathered under the British flag '. We children of the Moth or race cannot brag about our loyalty v. lieu we remember the many responses from the hundreds of millions of other races who do not know our language, but the fact remains that the response of the race wherever U is settled lias been absolutely beyond any possible expectation. When one thinks of the vast distances and that the great majority of the people, of the dominions have never seen the Mother Country, when one remembers their peaceful and remote situation, all that has happened dining the past six months, all that has been accomplished, till that is yet to come, will furnish the brightest page in the glorious history of our people.'' The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, High Commissioner for New Zealand, said : Hero it can hardly bo realised the interest that is (a - ten by New Zealand in the war ami the work that is being done in the dominion to assist. t have just returned from a visit to Egypt. where t) ie forces of our dominion are marshalled. There are many thousands of our troops under training, and it is said that finer material could not be anywhere found. Another contingent is about to land, and still others are preparing. As a matter of fact, every race and creed is *iUving to the flag, and our hearts also are'joining w*th their fellow Britons. At sea our ship the Now Zealand has taken her place in two engagements. Our people everywhere are straining their utmost to stand by King and country." Sir George Porley, Acting High Commissioner for Canada, said : “livery subject of the King must be proud of the way in which the whole Empire lias shown its loyalty and responded to Britain s call. "We have many problems to solve, not only in these British Isles, but also in the various dominions and Crown colonics, but thfese have all been forgotten in the universal desire to assist in beating the enemy. After peace has been declared we shall have Imperial questions to decide, and I feel that the action of Germany in causing this dreadful war has brought one good result by drawing all parts of our Empire closer together, and helping different sections to know each other better.” The Hon. W. P. Schrlner, High Commissioner for South Africa, said ? “The adversity of war has pulled the component parts of the Empire more closely together. With mutual trust and aid, ready service, constant endurance, and steady, courage, we shall pass through the fiery ordeal the light of a victorious and abiding peace.”