MR WATT'S MISSION

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14364, 15 May 1920, Page 5

MR WATT'S MISSION

DEVELOPMENT OF EMPIRE. NO OVERSEAS SHIRKING. -> GERMANY MUST PAY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 14, 10 p.m. LONDON, May 13. Sir James Mills presided at the Australian and New Zealand Association's luncheon to Ron. W. A. Watt. The guests included Lord Ashfleld, besides the High Commissioners and AgentsGeneral, Sir 11. L. Galway, and many Anglo-Australians. Colonel L. C. M. S. Amery. in supporting the toast, of Ihe guest, said Mr Walt's attitude on Imperial polities appealed to him strongly. Ho paid a tribute to Australia's indomitable spirit throughout the war. It was essential to-day that Australians should lie represented by something more than telegrams and documents. Mr Watt had come lo tell what Australia feels, thinks anil wanls, also to find out for h'is colleagues what has happened in all the complicated international problems confronting the Empire. He had come possessing his colleagues' confidence to get this information. No one could predict what shape Empire development would lake, but whatever its direction i! would be the outcome of the meetings of men of character from the various p\rts. Only along these lines could the Empire grow. Mr Walt, in replying, said that Australians hated war, hut had faced it. "We of the south," be said, "were citizens of no mean country. True, wc lacked history; but Ihat was not our fault, and lime would cure ,it. We In Australia and New Zealand would exploit all that God had given us, and never shirk our obligations. We had fostered the production of manufactures and Irade, and we were doing the best to cultivate the arts and literature. Above all, wc 'had swung into step with Britain's armies. Our men assisted your men to inscribe on God's filament deeds of bravery and valour. There was a resolution to hold fast the crimson thread binding us as a united people." He hoped the League of Nations would come out of Hie cradle and spring to vigorous manhood, but it. was having a troublesome lime in the cradle. He paid a tribute to Colonel Amery's work for the colonies. He had endeavoured to understand the needs of the far-Aung Dominions more than any other man. During his mission, said Mr Watt, he would have to give attention to financial matters Which were difficult, lo arrange by correspondence. There was also flie question of the wool. He hoped I hat when he solved I Ins sum it would also serve to help New Zealand in the same direction. He trusted that at the Spa Conference the band of Britain would not falter, but would support Franco to extract from Germany all she could pay. It was a pure economical proposition that payment, should be made by Germany and sentiment should not enter into it. He also wanted in the family council to make sure that the northern rampart from Samoa to the Bismarck Archipelago passed for ever from Germany's sight. Referring lo emigration Mr Walt appealed for the "spill over" from th Mother Country. Australia's open spaces wanted Britain's idle hands. Sir T. B. Robinson, responding to the toast of Australians, said he believed that Mr Watt's visit, would result in great benefit to Australia. During his own visit he had been greatly impressed by the manner in which technical research had been developed in all the leading universities. Re predicted that London would retain her position as the world's financial capital. Received May 14, 11.20 p.m. LONDON, May 13. The King and Queen will entertain Mr Watt and his wife at luncheon at Buckingham Palace on Friday. Mr Watt will spend Sunday with the Lord Chief Justice, and he will he sworn in as a Privy Councillor on Monday.