MR HALL-JONES AT HOME.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13958, 19 July 1909, Page 7

MR HALL-JONES AT HOME.

TALKS IMPERIALLY. The London ' correspondent _ of the "Otago Daily Times" says that -Mr Hall-Jones is quite a popular figure at Empire functions in London, and he has not minced matters m representing the feeling of the oversea dominions to his English hearers. At a dinner 01 the Koyal Colonial Institute, at which defence was referred to by different speakers, Mr Hall-Jones denied that New Zealand's offer of a Dreadnought had anv party significance. He then went oil to say:—l cannot understand any man calling himself a Briton who will not want to defend Ms homo and -those near and dear to him. And that being so, what does it mean but that every man in the British Empire will later on feel a nride and pleasure m carrying out liis duty, in joining with others and taking a share in the defence of the Empire.—(Applause.) I know there" is a difference of opinion on tins question of universal service. I believe it has to come. —(Loud and continued applause.) And when we approach it and deal with it in a practical, businesslike way, we will he able to make tho best use of the material that will be at hand. The time has gone when you could raise levies at a moment's notice.—("Hear, hear.") In face of steam and electricity and what is now going on in tho world, the time for mobilisation and training is too short to enable preparations to he made when once the operations havo started. Therefore, it is necessary for everyone to give his efforts and attention "so as to be prepared. That is tho greatest safeguard for any emergency or contingency that may arise. I do riot think any reasonable man can raise any objection to the aspirations of Australia and Canada to have navies of their own. I believe that, as in South Africa they placed their men and money at the disposal of the Imperial authorities, so it would be, should occasion arise if they Lad fleets of their own. The necessity for combined operations is so evident that I am satisfied that.any difficulties or friction that miaht arisG may be removed by consultation with those at the hejd of affairs. At tho present time there is a greater wnvo of Imperialism through-

out this country and the Empire than ever existed before, and 1 look forward with great hope to tho conference which is coming on. At tho present time we little realise what the future of our great Empire will be.