LORD MAYOR’S BANQUET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2657, 12 November 1909, Page 5

LORD MAYOR’S BANQUET.

ADMIRAL SEYMOUR AND MR HALDANE ON DEFENCE.

United Press Association —Copyright, LONDON, Nov. 10.

Admiral E. 11. Seymour, responding to the toast of the Navy, at the Lord Mayor’s Guildhall function in celebration of the King’s Birthday, emphasised the efficiency of the British fleet, but said the maxim._of the day must be- never to rest content. Whenever disagreement occurred between officers it was the ‘ outcome of that zeal without which the nation would be very .sorry to see the Navy. Mr. Haldane, Secretary" for War, referred to the progress made in organising the Imperial general staff. He dwelt on the inter-relations and mutual co-operation of the naval and military services.

Mr. ASQUITH SPEAKS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EMPIRE.

Mr. Asquith, Prime Minister, responding to the toast of His Majesty’s Ministers, referred hopefully to the union of South Africa. The year had also been memorable for another striking eventful stcji in the development of the Empire. The Defence Conference which followed the inspiring manifestation of loyalty and offers of naval assistance from New Zealand, Canada, and Australia (Cheers) was fully representative anu s animated throughout with a deep sense of the Empire’s unity and inter-dependence. It had at its disposal the best expert advice, and came to practical conclusions, which for the first time were laid down upon definite principles, with due regard to variety of local conditions in the respective parts under which, by free agreement, the Motherland and the Dominions will, in case of any possible aggression, defend their territory, commerce, trade routes, and the common interests of the Empire as a whole. (Cheers.)

Adverting to the relations of the Powers, the Premier referred to the international mourning following the untimely tragic death of Japan’s most illustrious .statesmen. 1 . The international sky in 1909 was somewhat clouded, and he was far from saying that all possible sources of disquiet in the Balkans and East Europe had been removed; but there was nothing as far as he knew in the existing conditions which should not yield to time. Our policy was unchanged by the strain and stress’d the year, which had tested and confirmed our ententes and friendships.

Referring to Germany, the Prime Minister .said he was unaware of anything which could be held to stand in the way of a full and friendly understanding, which he believed was the cherished object of the wisest statesmanship and best moral social forces of both countries to promote. (Cheers.)

VIOLATION OF CONGO TREATY

RIGHTS

Mr. Asquith, speaking at the Guildhall, adverting to the Congo, remarked : The conditions whereon the Free •State was founded are not only unfulfilled, hut are continuously and habitually violated. Had there been no change it would have been impossible to longer admit any jurisdiction but our own over any Britisher there. Belgium, as the result of inquiries, has now made a declaration of polie\ T which we have not yet had time to consider, but which we welcome as opening a prospect more hopeful than any yet offered us. He added: “As a final solution we should only he able to recognise annexation on the ground that such annexation may be trusted to lead to vital reforms, which alone can satisfy the treaty rights and common obligations to humanity.”, He insisted warmly that agitation by Britain against abuses in the Congo was altogether sincere and unselfish.