CREATNESS OF BRITAIN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3273, 19 July 1911, Page 2

CREATNESS OF BRITAIN.

"OLD COUNTRY NOT DONE." REMARKS BY MR LLOYD-GEORGE. Speaking in London Mr Lloyd-Gec rge said: "We regard the self-governing Dominions with special pride. The conferring of self-government upon great countries in the Empire is the greatest of all the achievements of Liberalism. Our great statesmen in the past faced misrepresentation and obloquy, and dared even political ruin to confer freedom upon those great countries, and we see with pride how they have grown in strength,, in influence, in power, and, above all, in the arts of self-government As a party we feel that we can share in. the triumph, of democratic self-gov-ernment which they present to the civilised world. "We also observe with, a glow of satisfaction how, as they assume the form and the attitude of independent communities, their attachment to the Motherland grows—grows generation by generation, decade by decade, conference by conference, year by year it flourishes. It lias borne fruit. It will bear more abundant fruit, for it has struck its roots deep iu the rich soil of liberty. (Cheers). "This is an old country not done with yet. (Cheers.) The trade returns, the Census returns, yes, and even the living issues we are fighting on the floor of the Mother of Parliaments —all these prove that this country has not yet come to the end of its great career. There are still chapters to be written which will thrill with nobler deeds than have yet been recorded even in it 6 great past. The country whi'ch has founded the greatest Empire the world has ever seen means to prove that it can also rid itself of the social evils which undermine its strength and dim its lustre. (Cheers.) The Old Country is not done. "But if we are pot at the end of the greatness of Britain, these new Dominions are only at-the beginning of their neatness. The Prime Ministers who have honored us tq-day with their presence —(cheers) —and whom we welcome with such delight, with such cordiality, in our midst —they now represent their millions. The day is not distant when either they or their successors will come over to the Old Country to represent their scores of millions. They have a great, an unlimited, future before them. They may outgrow Britain, and will outgrow Britain, in strength, in population, power, and possessions. They will never outgrow their affection for the Old' Country. (Cheers.)