The Lord Mayor's Banquet.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11815, 12 November 1901, Page 2

The Lord Mayor's Banquet.

I SPEECH BY LORD SALISBURY. ! 1 HE HOPES FOR EARLY CONCLUSION OF THE WAR. (Per Press Association). London, November 10. — Lord Salisbury, speaking at the Guildhall, said the attitude of the great Powers towards Britain was friendly, li that had not been the case, half <• century ago the slight cloud iv ■ th- 1 Levant would have been suggestive of embarrassing difficulties, but no a it was haßpily more easily dispelled. Nothing has occurred in South Africa to modify the confident hope of an early successful issue of the war. (Cheers). The guerilla warfare must inevitably sbe conducted and terminated on its own lines. A glance at precedents would show there was no undue or unexpected difficulty, and no. cause fpr apprehension or discouragement. He reiterated that these- were- the conclusions of those best able to judge. The British were making month b^ -month .and week by week, sure and substantial progress. In proceeding to deny the allegations of neglect, lukewarmness, -or such Government action as served to" prolong the guerilla conflict, he described such statements as .valueless, vague vituperation, and 411 defined criticism. The Government's position with regard to, the Boers had remained Unchanged throughout . Its desire. was that the. new territories should enjoy peace, freedom, and civil rights, 'and at the earliest p'os>sible nloinent self-goverranent like our other colonies. "We are 'told," he said, " that our opponents . will accept only independence. We reply that the independence of neighbours who attacked us at two days' notice after accumulating for years, materials for a colossal war, is inconsistent with our security." (Cheers). He was sure that the nation was deeply resolved that the South African trouble should never recur. However great might be the present sacrifice and labour involved, . the nation would not allow a temporary difficulty to interfere with the chosen path, dictated alike by duty and | interest. There existed a dogged de-.j termination to carry out the PO«*?y j which the nation believed to be that j of the Empire. i