AN EMPIRE MISSION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2789, 6 June 1916, Page 3

AN EMPIRE MISSION

RECEPTION TO SIR RIDER HAGGARD OLD SOUTH AFRICA : A distingu : shed and representative gathering of citizens, .Ministers of Ihe Crown, Departmental officials, etc., assembled in tho City Council Chamber at noon yesterday, when Sir Rider Haggard, the distinguished litterateur and Imperialist, was accorded a civic reception. Among those present were: The Hons. A. Myers, \VI D. S. Mac Donald, and G. W. Russell,' Mr. James Macintosh (president of cho Wellington Chamber of Commerce), ilr.. C. M. Luke (president of tho Central Chamber of Commerce), SurgeonColonel Purdy, and members of the City Council and the Harbour Board.

Jho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Lukej said they were met for tho purpose of honouring und weleoni'ng tho distinguished author, Sir Rider Haggard,' whose mission on the present occasion was of a voluntary character, and. purely honorary Sir Rider Haggard: "Very much so!" They very much appreciated tho visit, continued tho Mayor, for. not only was Sir Rider Haggard distinguished m literary achievement, but they knew him a.s a man of affairs in South- Africa. As far back as 1877, lie acted on. the staff of Sir Theophilus Shepstone (Special Commissioner to the Transvaal), and in. that year had "the .honour of raising the British Hag qyer the South African Republic. (Applause.) One could not say "anything about the history of South- Africa without a 'reference to General Botha, who, though, not a British subject originally; had worked ■so whole-heartedly for the Empire that he had become known as ono of the.inost foremost British-subjects in the world. In'referring to Sir Rider Haggard's work on the Empire Trade Commission, Mr. Luke said there was no more exacting critic on that, body than their esteemed visitor, and lie' could speak personally as one who liad given evidence that there was not'a keener .nor more analytical a mind on the Commission. He had, at an. advanced age, stepped out of the ordinary conditions of life at Homo in order to be of benefit to the soldiers of the Empire. (Applause.) It was their duly to see that ex-soldiers were properly provided for and the wasto places opened up and settled on. They (in New Zealand) liad u. duty to their own soldiers, but he was suro they would all take a broad view. Both in" Australia and here lie was 6uro Sir Rider, iHaggard would find a receptive people, and a people none tho less British, though far removed from the centre of the Empire. He hoped that thero would be development—as tho result of Sir Rider Haggard's visit—on. lines that would be of lasting benefit to the Em. til re, in which regard they took the visitor's coming as encouraging and helpful. He wished to extend him a hearty web come to New Zealand, and hoped that hia visit would be a pleaeant one. (Applause.)

Sir Eider Haggard, who was accorded an ovation on rising, said that at such a time as this, when all the Empire was thrilled by' the news of tho great battlo in the North Sea, it was somewhat difficult to talk of privato affair 3, even when .those affairs were not, strictly speaking, private, and had a national aspect. After referring briefly to tho recent great liaval battle in the North Sea, as reported elsewhere, Sir Rider Haggard said: . "i'ou have been good enough to refet to niy small work in the world' of literal ture. Let. that pass. The historical events I 1 was connected with.were very important, and were the beginning of all the South African troubles, extending lOve'r forty years. Sir Theophilus Sliepstone ■'■' annexed ' 1 the Transvaal, and I and General Brooke formally hoisted the flag.. The trouble began when tho British Government was pleased to 'undo the work done, and the flag 1 saw hoisted I saw hauled down again. Years passed,! 'and the wisdom of Shepstono's .policy'was realised, and at the cost of a' great war wo had to do the work again. We took the Transvaal with an escort of 20 policemen, but it was ceded away, anil we nad to sacrifice thousands of lives and millions of money. Tho re-establish-ment cost us 20,000 lives and .£300,000,000 oi money, and in the end was done that which .Shepstone' did at the beginning. I am proud of my connection with those events—l am the last of Shepstone's staff of twelve. I believe, too, that I am the last. l>eiiig- alive who knows the 'secret history of that page of African affairs." Praise for General Botha, Sir Eider Haggard said that the Mayor had alluded to General Botha. /Within the last few weeks he had saen and talked with General Botha, at the Cape, and he amply endorsed the words of praise bestowed on. him. If ever there was a loyal and true-hearted soul devoted to the cause of Empire, it was General Botha. What Botha had said to him the other day was—"l do pray to understand that through ■ everything I'm working strenuously on Imperial lines." Yes, he was working on Imperial lines, and Sir Rider Haggard was quite convinced that if the difficulties that lie before us brought us to Tmneral ends, it would bless und help our Empire. (Applause.) Passing on to his mission, the speaker said he was here on an honorary mission undertaken at the wish of that honoured body, the' lioval Colonial Institute. Anil why was he here? Why did he travel (he world and cross our stormy seas at an advanced period of life as his was? Ha did_it because.he considered it his duty as his war work. (Applause.) And why was it a'duly? Because lie believed there wero great dangers ahead of the Empire, and' wht'n they, "broke they should, bp ready to meet them. How much better it would be to see tho various countries well populated, and s(ron« us they may be. ° ■. j. British Blood for the British Flag. "Now we think," said Sir Kider HagSard, "that after ihe war'there is going to be an eruption of population. Wo may be . wrong, we may be right, and. thinking so, wo regard it us a first" necessity that no man of British blood should be lost to.the British flag. (Applause.) Heretofore, tens of thousands have emigrated lo the United States and the Argentine.' Wo say, sir, that should cease. (Applause.) We say that every suitable man leaving England should come-straight to England beyond the seas, and there inciease "and perpetuate our blood. I am'going round the world, and what sort of welcome have I received .in those lands? - So far my mission has been successful'. Every State .in Australia., received..; me ...with open hands and arms—and there is now the open door of Australia to British 'Midlers. (Applause.) At the conference of Premiers held at Adelaide a few days ago the matter was taken up, and the conference was'placing itself in communication with the. Imperial Government on the subject. ■It may be that New Zealand would take ail academic interest in the subject; it may be a practical interest. Needless to say, I hope it is tho latter. AVhatevor tho issue is, I know that my mission has the earnest sympathy of a majority of your population. For that, sir, as a representative of the people, I thank you for tho kindness of your welcome. In welcoming mo you honour the great society I. represent, and on behalf of that society I thank ynu again. Sir, it has been a memorable hour, of which I shall always retain a most grateful memory." (Applause.) At the conclusion of the function, several of those present were presented to Sir Eider Haggard by tho Mayor.