NEW EMPIRE SPIRIT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 92, 13 January 1920, Page 5

NEW EMPIRE SPIRIT

PRINCE OF WALES'S MANSION HOUSE SPEECH. By his speech at the.Mansion House, where lie was entertained by the Lord Mayor on his return from Camilla, the ; Prince of Wales, by his personality, caused quite a thrill of enthusiasm ; among the large and distinguished gathering present (states a message to the Melbourne "Argus"). Apart from a slight nervousness, such as was to bo expected in such a young man, his demeanour and manner greatly impressed the Ministers and diplomatists present. In private, conversation afterwards they expressed intenso satisfaction at such an admirable representative of the Royal House. , In replying 'to the toast of his health (which was proposed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Llo.vd George), His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales referred to his recent tour through Canada. Ho said: "Nothing appealed to me more than the largo number of ex-service men who greeted mo everywhere, often coinin" long distances, while many had been badly wounded. I cannot speak too strongly of the groat debt tlio Empire owes to the eoldicrs and sailors who fought in the war. I want all exservice men in every part of tjie Empire to remember me as an old comrade in arms, and to look upon mo in future as a comrade in spirit. (Cheers.) I have returned with a much clearer idea of what is meaut by tho British Empireof what may bo more appropriately called tho British Commonwealth. Tlio British people have- long left the Grecian and Roman idea of empire behind. "Tho Empire is now something far grander. It implies a partnership of free nations—(cheers)— living under tho samo system of laws, pursuing the same democratic aims, actuated by the 6ame human ideals, und it is the younger nations—Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Seuth Africa, and India—who are new universally recognised as nations by 110 fact that they are signatories to the Peace treaties, which th<sy fought so magnificently to secure. (Cheers.) India, played a great parLin the war. I look forward to visiting that wonderful country. The position of the self-governing Dominions is different. They are inhabited by highly advanced democracies who have made new civilisations out of wildernesses. "Think what the Dominions havo achieved in four generations," continued the Prince. "Think of their noble, sacrifice in tho war. There is no limiting tho bounds which their progress and development may some day attain. (Cheers.) It is no exaggeration to say that the united action of tho British Empire in tlio war was one of tho features least expected by the enemy, and the most effective in securing a victorious peace. (Cheers.) ' • "Pooplo'in the Old Country must realise that the patriotism of the Dominions, is national patriotism, not mere loyalty to Britain. It is loyalty to. their own British institutions, loyalty to the. worldwide British system of life and Govern* meat, and, above all. loyalty to tho British Empire, of which Britain, like tho Dominions, is only one part. "I felt the inspiration of this great idea throughout my tour, but I also learned that the loyalty of the Dominions is, in a verv special sense, loyalty to the Crown, and the Crown represents the unity of the Empire. The King is constitutionally sovereign. His Majesty occupics exactly the same place 111 Canada and the rest of the British Umpire as lie does in Britain. His house, although originally founded in Britain, belongs equally to all other nations of tho Commonwealth. I look forward keenly to visiting in the near future tho other Dominions, where 1 know I will feel equally at home. 1 warmly ippreciato my welcome in the United Slfttes. "The war has nut an end to the idea," added His Royal Highness, "that Britain is played out. The Dominions aro tho first in recognise that Britain look tiio first .strain of tlio war, bore Iho heaviest burdens, and made tho greatest sacrifices." "Tho world still looks anxiously to Britain for an example of confidence and steadiness. Britain's duty now is to show tho world that she can work at adjusting the social, economic, and industrial problem with general fairness and svmpatliy, and strive wholeheartedly towards the goal of happier conditions of life, ensuring that overy man and woman in the country may enjoy the. just proceeds of his or her labour, and that overy child born in the country shall havo a fair sporting chancc. Our problems can only bo solved by common sense 'and good-will/' (I'lolongcd cheers.)