LOYALTY TOO EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 81, 30 December 1920, Page 5

LOYALTY TOO EMPIRE

. ENTHUSIASTIC SYDNEY MEETING MESSAGE SENT TO MR. LLOYD GEORGE ' There are fires being lighted in this community which, if not stamped out, will threaten the very safety and unity of our Empire, and so those associated with this loyal movement call upon all loyalists throughout Australia to take a part in stamping them. out. A largo and enthusiastic audieuco in the Sydney Town Hall rose an\l cheered loudly whan the chairman (Mr. J. Stinoon) gave expression to the above quoted remark, reporti tho "Herald." These present had gathered at tho invitation of the King and Empire Alliance to pass' patriotio resolutions expressing appreciation of tho. work of the British Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd George, and of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, JJr. W. M. Hughes. It wa3 clear from th® tone of tho meeting that, although the din of war has long since ceased, the patriotism of tho people is still as strong ns it was in the momentous days of tho great struggle. The enthusiasm of those stirring times <>galh found expression as the various speakers . warmed to their Mibiect."Loyalty" was the keynote of the meeting which opened with •the singing of the National Anthem. Mr. Stinsou doubtless expressed the feeling of tho vast assembly when ho explains! that the object of tho gathering was to refute disloyal statements and to convey to tho prominent supporters oi the Kmcire its appreciation of their valuable services. There was very little sign of the element of opposition present in 'th-i hall, and if it was there it certainly observed a discreet silence, as the various speakers were allowed to proceed without serious interruption. Their expressions of loyalty were punctuated with frequent bursts of applause, and when the two resolutions were put to the voto they were both carried unanimously. Mr. Stinson. in opening the meeting, said they were there to express their allegiance 'to their Government and the Empire, and- not for any political or 6ee. tarian purposo. -

. "Thero have beon," added the speaker, "a number of statements mado lately which would tend to stir up strife in our oommunity and destroy the harmony which we have a right to expect. If these statements are allowed to go unanswered they will jive a wrong impression as to tlio true Australian sentiment with regard to the Old Country and.as to t'hft strength of the disloyal and Bolshevik clement who are responsible for these statements." It would encourage them in their propaganda:, which, if not checked, might result eventually in disaster to the community. (Applause.)

i They were proud of the ideals "for which they stood, and of the position whioh they occupied in ilhe Empiro. It was owing to the British Empire, that the great struggle in. Europe was ultimately won. (Applause.) "We are told," added the speaker. "thaC these statements ore not worth taking notice of, but I do not agree with that.attitude. If you see a man starting a. fire in your property your first duty is to stamp it out. and then deal with the man—(choers) —and; if necessary, call in yonr neighbours and your friends to help to stamp it out.

"Ladies and gentlemen, there are fires being lighted in this community which, if not stamped out, will' iihreaten the very safety and unity of our Empire, end so those associated with this loyal movement call upon all loyalists throughout Australia to 'take a part in stamping , them out.. (Applause.) We want to be supported by every loyalist throughout the Commonwealth."

The chairman further explained thai! they had invited Mr. John Storey (the Premier) to come and address .the meeting, or to send one of his Ministere. He had replied that he -was unwell. (Laughter.) "I believe lib at. is the true reason that Mr. John Storey is not hers/', added the speaker. "Wo have also invited His Eminence Archbishop Kelly." (Laughter.) A reply had been received, in which the Archbishop stated that he was unable to attend: owing ib pressing engagements. (Laughter.) "May we," added the Archbishop's reply, "be permitted, in .the interests of dutiful loyalty, to express the hope that) the meeting will pronounce in favour of national llborty and justice within the Empiro." (Hear, hear. Applause:) General Sir Charles Rosenthal, beforo •moving the first motion,' explained thafl the City Council had refused to grant the free use of the hall for the meeting, because they regarded the resolutions to be moved as national in character, rather than civic. They got the hall,- however, and paid for it. He then moved the following motion:—

"That this meeting of citizens of New South Wales convey to Mr. Lloyd .George, .the Prime Minister of England, our sincere appreciation of his services to tho Empire dliring the stress of war, and its firm oonviotion thaif under his able guidance the Empire will yet find a satisfactory solution of the Irish iproblcm: further, that we stand for the solidarity of i!he British Empire, nnd arc strongly opposed to those who would advocate its disintegration."

Sir Charles Rosenthal said there was no greater crisife than that of tho groat war; no man had bad' a greater burden than the Prime Minister of England, and no man carried the load with moi'o credit than Mr. Lloyd George did. They in Australia also had a strong man in their own Prime Minister. (Applause.) Sir Douglas Haig had been responsible for 'the British Army, and Admiral Beatty for the Navy, but Mr. Lloyd George had been responsible for the whole world. It would' be a pleasure to send Home a cablegram to Mr. Lloyd George in the terms of this resolution.

In Ireland to-day there were very serious troubles, but the day would come when they would*have some solution of the Irish troubles which would be acceptable to the Irish people., and, above all, which' would ensure the solidarity of the British ■ Empire. "Ireland/ added Sir Charles Rosenthal, "wants a republic. Can we in Australia ever be a party to allowing Ireland to hare a republic. (Cries of No! No!) Sir Charles Rosenthal • "We cannot allow it. Why?, Simply because, if we do it we open the way for an enemy to strike a dagger" at tho heart of Great Britain—(applause)—and by the law of self-preservation this is going to affect us.. In that way we need to be contained with Ireland's affairs. I am sure Australia .will never stand for Ireland innning a republic of its own." Some people here wanted an Australian republic. Those present would b? no party to this. Mr. Lloyd George had made mistakes—he was only human after all—but he had saved the Empire, and, indeed, 'the whole world. (Applause.) Where would we have been if Great Britain had not taken its sharp in the Great War? Great Britain had stood between the world and disaster; it had saved the world, and at its head was Jlr. Lloyd George. (Applause.) Thero were.probably few who realised the magnitude of Great Britain's effort during the war, and it was principally owing ■to Great Britain, and to Mr. Lloyd George that we owed our present position to-day. (Applause.) We wanted to demonstrate to that great • man appreciation of what he had done, .and' tho fact that we stood behind him in whaever ho did for the betterment of the great Empire of wt'ioh we wore a part (Applause.)

The motion was-carried unanimously, and amidst great applause. Sir. F. H. Molesworth moved:—"That this meeting of citizens of New South Wales «*pi«s its Warm approval of tho steps tam bjr tie Primo Minister of