FEDERAL HIGH COMMISSIONER

West Coast Times, 7 February 1916, Page 2

FEDERAL HIGH COMMISSIONER

ENTERTAINED IN LONDON

SPEECHES BY PROMINENT STATESMEN.

LORD KITCHENER’S TRIBUTE TO THE ANZACS.

MR BONAR LAW ON THE DOMINIONS.

Pp.n Pansa Association. —Corrmom..

(Received at (i.od p.m., Fob. (Üb)

LONDON, Feb. 5,

Hon A. Fisher (Australia’s High Oommlssioney) [was entertained afe a, banquet by tbo Agonts-Gonoral. There was a big gathering, including Sir 'Thomas Mackenzie. Hon. Bonar Law, in moving the toast of tire evening, referred to the important part played by tbo Dominion in tbo war. Our enemies never expected them to render such help, everybody throughout the Empire was proud of them, ami Anzae and Gallipoli were enshrined for over by what the Australians and Now Zealanders had done. Gallopili !o»)ked down on tbo plains of Troy, but nothing, of which Homer sang, could have exceeded the nobility- and glory- of the deeds of the gallant Australians and New Zealanders. The campaign had not succeeded, but it bad not been in vain, and would be remembered for ever as the beginning of the growth of manhood of Australia and New Zealand. We had waited anxiously to hear what Australasia says regarding the evacuation, and though there has boon disappointment there had been no reproaches. It is not too much to say that the deeds of the Australians and New Zealanders are more familiar to the people of Britain than therwork of some of our own regiments. It has been said that wo are a decadent people, but the fact that we prepared to make the last sacrifices for the honor of the old flag disproves this. AVe shall see this through to the end and to a successful end, as in times past we have seen other things through. The issue is whether a free institution and everything for which this stands, can survive against the iron rule ot military despotism. The principles of this country are not naturally the best instrument for war, hut they have to he adbpted. It is because of this there has been so much talk, hut he would not admit that we deserved lo talk about our muddling through. Lord Kitchener paid a tribute to the Australians’ and New Zealanders’ splendid efforts to assist the Motherland. ami justifying their defence policy. No troops, he said, had fought with greater determination and bravely. After his visit to Anzae ho had the utmost admiration for their wonderful exploits. The Empire need never he afraid while she has such men.

Hon. Mr Fisher, in responding, said that Australia wanted not praise. What she had done was only to help the Motherland to win the war. Australia. had two messages for the enemy. Tlie first was that from all corners of the Commonwealth recruits wore pouring in ; and the second, that wo are largely over-subscribing the war loans. He would gladly join with the representatives of the other Dominions in giving service and, advice, either by consultation in council lor otherwise. The present is not the time for criticism hut the time will come when wo will oeaso regarding the colonials as exotic. You Might to toll the Dlominions what you really mean. He thought that the results' would come from one of those free talks, which had done so much to weld the Empire.