THE PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2568, 31 July 1909, Page 5

THE PREMIER.

SPEECH AT.THE BRITISH EMPIRE LEAGUE BANQUET. IPeh Puebs Association.] WELLINGTON, July 30. A largely attended banquet was given by the British Empire League in London on Wednesday night. Sir Josei>h Ward was given the seat of honor on the right of the chairman ,the Duke of Devonshire. Mr Haldane, Minister of War, proposed the toast of the “Imperial Defence Conference.” Sir Joseph Ward was the first of the delegates to speak in response to the toast. He was enthuiasticalJy cheered on rising. He. said that regarding Imperial defence they would surely agree iwith him that he could fittingly confine himself in his remarks to the colonial aspect of the matter. As a result of recent events the people of this country were slowly but surely awakening to the fact that the oversea dominions were no longer the useless encumbrances they were once supposed to be. Time was when they were helpless, but that time was past, and the day was now dawning when it would be seen that they were ready and willing to assist in their own defence, and in the common defence of the Empire. “A prudent prophet,” said Sir Joseph, “never prophesies until after the event. I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, hut peering into the future by the light of the past, I think it is not hard to forecast what may be effected if wise and prudent counsels prevail in the relations between the different portions of the Empire. A hundred years is a" short time in the life of a nation. It is more than a hundred years since Trafalgar was fought, and in the case of many of us our fathers remembered it. It is nearly 60 years since the Crimean war, and many a Crimean veteran is alive to-day. I ask you to consider, then, what is possible a hundred years hence in the development of the Empire? Taking Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, their total population to-day probably does not much exceed twelve or thirteen millions. In the ordinary course of events it will be over a hundred millions a century hence. I ask you to consider the effect, not only on the strength of the Empire itself, but on the peace of the world. If these communities are then integral portions of the Empire, thinking and acting with the United Kingdom in the spirit they manifest to-day, not only will the Empire itself be impregnable against attack, but with the certain co-operation of at least one other great nation the peace of the world will be kept, and international disturbance in Europe will be suppressed comparatively easily. I, of course, am not at liberty to discuss anything that transpired at the Defence Conference this morning. Instructions have been issued that, there is to be no divulgence of what is discussed, - and rightly so in the interests of the Empire, but I wish to emphasise the imperative necessitv of the Conference arriving at a definite cheme, and not paisng resolutions that may only be left for record and acted on. It would be suicidal not to recognise that the evolution which is going on in other countries calls for markedly forward movements on the part of the Old Motherland in co-operation with her dominions beyond the seas. The old policies which up to now had been sufficient to meet the protective conditions £)f empire are not- sufficient, and I feel confident that British statesmen, in co-operation with these of the colonies, will at the conference evolve a scheme, though necessarily one of a flexible nature, to meet local circumstances. and the scheme will be one for strengthening the navy, and consequently enhacing the solidarity of the Empire. The goal may be distant, but it exists, and can be reached. There are difficulties in the way, but with prudence, forbearance, wisdom, and moderation they are all surmountable, and surmounted they will be. Then, in the words of a great English writer: “Come, the three corners of the world in arms 5 And we shall shook them: Nought shall make us rue If England to- itself do rest but true.” At the conclusion of his speech. Sir Joseph Ward was heartily cheered.