IDEALS OF EMPIRE.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17246, 5 November 1927, Page 7

IDEALS OF EMPIRE.

AUSTRALIA’S POLICY. SPEECH BY FEDERAL PREMIER. GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES LOST. (United Press Association.) CANBERRA, Nov. 4. A welcome to the Secretary for the Dominions, Mr L. S. Arnery, was extended at a Parliamentary dinner here. The Federal Prime Minister, Mr S. M. Bruce, presided. Mr Bruce said no Empire statesman had done more than Mr Amery to bring about the recent remarkable achievement of the modern Empire Government or had laboured more unceasingly to enforce its realisation. Mr Burke referred to Sir Alfred Mood's speech in London, suggesting the development of the Empire as an economic unit “Until recently," said Mr Bruce, “wo had applied to the economic relationship of the Empire those hap-hazard and unsympathetic methods which characterised political relationship before the loss of American colonics. As a result we were mistress of the seas, owning the bulk of the world’s shipping and fertile lands in every portion of the -globe arid producing man’s every necessity, but owing to lack of co-operation we were challenged in the race for economic supremacy.”

British markets within the Empire itself had been permitted lo go to foreign rivals and many golden opportunities had been wasted, but the time was not yet too late. Australia wanted to develop Ihe country with British stock, to buy Empire goods and sell Australian exports in Empire markets. Replying, Mr Amery advised all to work together for the advancement of the Empire, cultivating a wide imnerialisUc outlook and higher ideals.