PROBLEMS OF EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 197, 15 May 1920, Page 7

PROBLEMS OF EMPIRE

■ —— . .' FEDERAL TREASURER'S MISSION IN LONDON HOLDING FAST THE CRIMSON THREAD 'By Telegraph-PreEfl Association-'Copyrisht (Rec. May.il, 10 p.m.) ; London, May 13. . . Sir James Mills' presided at an Australian and New .'Zealand luncheon to ■ Mr. Watt (Federal''Treasurer). .The ; • guests' inCluded' Lord Ashfield,' besides tho High- Commissioners and Agents-General, Sir' Henry Gahvajv ~and •„ many Anglo-' f Australians..,. Colonel Aniery (Under-Secretary for tho [ Colonies), in supporting the. toast, said' . that Jli 1 . ''Watt's attitude 'on Imperial - politics appealed to him strongly. • •■He ■ paid a tribute to Australia's indomitable • spirit, .throughout: the war. It ■ was ' "essential fo-diiy that Australia should lw f represented by sometliing more than tele- : grams and documents. Mr. Walt oamo ■ to tell what Aiistralia feels, thinks, and : wants, and also to Dud out-for his cil- • leagues what'is happening in all com- ' plicated international, problems confront. ; ing the Empire. He came possessing his : colleagues' confidence to get this in-. 1 formation- No one could predict what 1 sliaptf .Empire development would take, but whatever its directions 1 it. would be the outcome of tho' meeting of. men' of - character from- various, parts. Only along these lines;.could the Empire 'grow.' ■ Mr. Watt, , replying, Mid Australian's hated' war, but faced it!' . "Wei of.- the South-," lie said, "were, citizens, of no ■ mean country. True, .we, .lacked . history, but. that was a fault that time . would cure. We in' Australia, and New Zealand would, exploit all God had givon us, and never shirk our obligations. Wo i had fostered ' production, 'manufactures,and trade, .'and wo were doing our best "to'cultivate Uie_ arts -and' literature. Above all, wo hfid swung into step with .Britain's armies, Our . men assisted your men . to. inscribe'on God's firmament deeds ' of • -bravery and • valour. There was'a resolution trt hold ,fast fhe crimson thread -binding' lis" as a united people." . He hoped; the -Lwgue ! 'of ; would come out of tlfe cradle' :' and spring to vigorous'manhood,"-but it [ was having a' troublesome 'time-in the ,' cradle... He paid a'tribute to-.Colonel Amery's. work for this colonies. Colonel J Aniery. had endeavoured to understand . tho meeds of the far-flung dominions moro than hny .other.:man. Durilig Ms-mission,-Miv Watt .continued, lie' ivould have to . give attentf on to financial'..nla.tters whiclr were difficult to arrange'by correspondence, !Tliere. was the question. Of wool. He hoped that wlie.n he Tiad solved this. , sum it woijld also serve to' help New .Zealand in the same difection. ,ITo trusted that at the Spa. Conference the hand of Britain would not falter,' but would support France to exact from Germany all slio could pay. ■ It was a pure economical proposition"' tliat'payme'nt should be made by. Germany,' and sentiment' should not .enter into'it. 'He also" wanted in the family 'council 'to" make sure that the northern 'ram'nnrt:' from Samoa . to the Bismarpk Arcliipelngo, had " passed for ever from.Germany's eight. - - .Referring,to';einigratioii, Mr.- Watt. a(>■pealect for tlio "spill over".; from the Mother Country. Australia's, .open spaces wanted Britain's ; idle hands'.' . .'Mr. A., Robinson,' responding to the toast of. "Australians," said:.lie believed .Mr. Watt's visit would result in-great benefit to : Australia.- During his ,own visit ho bad been greatly impressed, bv the manner in which' technical research was' being'developed-in all the' leading " universities. He -predicted that London would retaiii liei' position' as the- world's ■ financial: capital—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. MR.-WAT,T TO BE ENTERTAINED BY - - KING AND QUEEN. ■ ' ' ' (R-ec. May 1-1; 9.20 p.m.) .-'. London, May W. -~ Tho .King and Queen will entertain Mr. Watt' Treasurer) and his wife at, luncheon : at.' Biick.inghaiii, Palace 'On' ■ Friday. Mr. .Watt Vill .spend' Sunday' • with tlio; Lord Chief .Justice,- and will' ■ lio .sworn- in as. a. Privy Councillor -on •>Monday.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable, Assn...