THE EMPIRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19058, 10 July 1924, Page 5

THE EMPIRE

MR LLOYD GEORGE ON ITS RESOURCES A TRIBUTE TO THE DOMINIONS. Received July 9, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, July 9. Mr. Lloyd George, speaking at a dinner given by Lord Beaverbrook to Dominion journalists, eloquently pictured the resources of the Empire, the vastness of which, he said, staggered imagination, but the great essential was unity, which must not be made a question of race, party or creed. The present task was to find a basis covering the multitudinous interests, and without which the Empire was not secure. The first step in that direction would be closer consultation, and the second improved communications. No real progress had been made to improve steamship intercourse despite years of discussion. “Let us seek not to qualrel about the Empire. Quarrels impede progress. Let us seek unity as the Empire increases its bounds and becomes more and more democratic.” The Press alone could make a democratic empire possible and secure the triumph of a united empire of free peoples which would be a watch-tower or citadel of peace, liberty and fairplay in the world. He paid a glowing tribute to the Dominions’ troops in the war, and said: “I sometimes tremblingly wondered what would have happened if a million of the world’s bravest had not come from the Dominions to help us. I will never forget the spring of 1918, when the Australians near Mayence broke the spearhead which was being thrust into the heart of the British army.”