THE BONDS OF EMPIRE.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 14612, 30 August 1913, Page 5

THE BONDS OF EMPIRE.

EUTEKfrAINED;

THE TIE THAT jJINDS

SOMiEI INTETTESTI^iG- SPEECHES

(Petr Press Asisooiation.)

WELUNIGTOK 1, Aug. 29

The New Zealand Government entertained the memlbers, of the visiting British Parliamentarians ati Bellamy's to-day.

In proposing the toast of the visitors. Hon. Mr Massey expressed pleasure in welcoming Lord Emmott and party. It was' a good thing for colonial statesmen to visit England, but it ■was eiv|©u more important for Imperial Statesmen to' visit oversea dominions. Ho did not want to bring about any sudden change in the Constitutiion of the Empire, 'but he did want to sea every part of the Empire joined to the Empire by ties as slight as silk •but, stronger than steel. Lord Emmott replying referred t(o New Zealand's gift of a battleship and to the stimulus that .action, had given to Imperial matters throughout th« Empire. He observed that the Committee of the Privy Council had been increased from 5 to 7 and saw no reason why New Zealand should nob be represented thereon. Real progress was being made towards Imperial unity and he hoped all would worlc together to make the Empire approximate as closely as possible to their ideals. 'Mr D. McMaster also? responded to the toast. He congratulated New Zealand on progress and prosperity. They did not require to lie assured of New Zealand's loyalty and patriotism. There were no_ people' on the face o5 the earth who appreciated New Zealand's patriotism more than the people of England.

Sir Joseph Ward proposed the i health of the visitors in a well chosen speech. Ho said New Zealand was anxious for unity of Empire and he hoped England would push forward the laying af a. State-owned cable across the Atlantic. so as. to cement the connccfiiO'ir between Britain and the overseas Governments. The Hon. Mr Lough responding, said on behailf of both political parties at Homo that there was never any idea on the part of the Home Government of doing anything, but justice to tho oversens dominions. They hoped t»> fbii'ing the cable charge-; from Eutiland to New Zeala.nd down frooa 3s per word to 3d per word. Sir S. Riephen and Mr Will Crooks also referred to the apparent prosperity of Hie Dominion. 1 lie L >v>til)<rin2' concluded with the .sinm'mr "f the National Anthem.