GERMANY’S LOST COLONIES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15132, 29 January 1917, Page 3

GERMANY’S LOST COLONIES.

NEVER TO GO BACK TO ENEMY. STRIKING- SPEECH BY Si® JOSEPH WARD. (Australian and N.Z- Cable Services.) LONDON, January 27. A striking feature of the Australian “corroboree” at the Connaught Rooms, was Sir Joseph Ward’s declaration of the Dominions’ views on the after-war conditions. This was the first public utterance regarding the fate of the German colonies, and it was loudly cheered. Sir/'Joseph War described himself as a “born .Australian," but a “young Nevv Zealander.” Not only Australians, he said, but New Zealanders were engaged in the titanic struggle alongside the troops of Britain, India, Canada, South Africa, and the Islands of the Pacific. What could be finer than the feeling existing to-day between the Australian, New Zealand, and other Dominions P It would certainly be cemented stronger than ever, and the result would be a more united Elmpire. We had the greatest confidence that the common sense of the peoples of the Empire would be superior to any differences. The Australians and New Zealanders are kith and kin, and they would never be content with any reversion to pre-war conditions. There could not be a greater mistake. He saw with regret that the magnificent Entente Note to President Wilson did not -refer to the captured German territories. Australia and NeW Zealand, whose blood had won the colonies of the Pacific, were determined they Should never go back to the enemy. The Dominions were proudly and determinedly co-operating with the Motherland, to whom we were indebted for her unequalled effort in raising five million soldiers. We would not allow anybody —not even President Wilson—to suggest our peace terms. Men who fought with their women behind them were only entitled to arrange peace when the right moment arrive. The Dominions were confident that those who were responsible for the government of Great Britain would see that victory brings a sure peace thereafter. She would consider with the Dominions a scheme for Empire management. Although at present the free system was beneficent, its development would tend to a greater solidarity of the Empire, re-stimulating the world-wide affection for our flag and of power and justice.