EMPIRE'S FOUNDATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 217, 7 June 1919, Page 7

EMPIRE'S FOUNDATION

WELL LAID ON FRENCH BATTLEFIELDS TRIBUTE TO AUSTRALIANS (By Telegraph-'-Presa Association-Copyright 1 !Rec. June C, 5.5 p.ni.) London, May 2G. Senator Pearco,, Australian -Defence Minister,, presided at tho Australian-New Zealand luncheon. ' Admiral Wemyss paid a tribute lo General Eawlinson's association with the Australian troops. Admiral Wemyss, responding, .to ..tlm toast of "Tho Navy," said some.'.of it had had share in tho building up of the Empire, and in the late struggle- bore a part' in upholding it. Australia, through ■ Gallipoli, had matured -into nationhood. - He believed tho link .connecting the Empire ..units would always bo-tho Navy.

General Ivawlinson the Fourth Army owed much to the valour, sacrifice, and incomparable lighting spirit, of the Australians. Generals Birdwood and Monash had-commanded with'great distinction-.throughout the war. ■ For men of untried-experience to come into the hurly-burly of ttio war .as tlio Australians had..d«no, and,'to learn:the hew 'methods which 'the. w/ir produced' iyas a super-human task; and hi the.last- hundred days tho Australians'had'gained a ,reputation w'hich would livb" throughout Europe. Marshal Foch had told him that the- Australian counter-attack at Villers Bretonnoux was the; -turning point of the great German offensive, ;-Ho was glad to learn that a monument was to 'bo.'erected. at'M.ont St:. Queritin ill honour of the capture. Ho'regarded Monf SC'Quentin as practically unassailable, and did not feel justified in'attacking- it, but the initiative camp from the Australian Corps. - They won- it in a most gallant manner. The foundation of the Empire was. .well laid on,, the battlefields of France. Tho children of tho Empire had reached manhood, ' and proved their right to take-a prominent part in tho high couneils'of tlio united Empire. General Rawlinson referred to Hawker's escape,' ajid said he could, not describe him better than as a-,typical Australian who had.won a.great.repu-tation.-rAua.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.,'.