THE EMPIRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6935, 26 October 1900, Page 3

THE EMPIRE.

♦ BRITAIN'S FOREIGN POLICY. SPEECHES BY CABINET MINISTERS. A TRIBUTE TO THE COLONIES. United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph — Copyright. (Received Oct. 26, 8.52 a.m.) • LONDON, Oct. 25. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, speaking at" the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce dinner, justified Britain's consistent policy towards China. He disagreed with the idea of preferential treatment for the colonies against other- countries. He was hopeful of a common defence between the Empire and the colonies. . Mr Chamberlain, on assuming the freedom of the Fishmongers' Company, spoke at a banquet. What, he said, would be the headline for the opening chapter of tiae century? The country had already replied — "A United 1 Empire." We were all Imperialists now. We had abandoned the j craven fear of being great, and within twelve months the Empire would be born anew. The colonies had stayed our hands, as Aaron Hurhad stayed the hands of Moses, till victory had been achieved. Would Britain ever forget? Who would dare to repeat .that the colonies were an .encumbrance? If disaster or physical convulsion engulfed us, our kinsfolk over the sea would carry to unknown, heights our sceptre of dominion. The Canadian and Australian Federations pointed to a South African. Federation, and the still greater federation of the Empire.