INSPIRING SPIRIT

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 198, 19 May 1944, Page 6

INSPIRING SPIRIT

British Imperial . Conference FINAL ADDRESSES BY PREMIERS (British Official Wireless.) (Keceived P-jM 1; The inspiring trend of British faith knit together the speeches at the closing meeting yesterday of the Prime Ministers ju London. The speeches emphasized tha v the unity of the British peoples was enduring and unshakeable, and that th.) British Commonwealth and Empire thus welded would, in Mr. Fraser’s words, Jie a mighty instrument for achieving great purposes in the highest interests of mankind. ■ •Tn days when great military operations are proceeding with vigour, and at last not uncheered by hopes of success, we have found pleasure in meeting r.en whose companionship is a comfort ami whose comradeship is as strong as a rock.” Mr. Fraser said. He went on: “My confidence in the future is enormously strengthened by all that has passed round this council board, and I am sure the meeting will in future years be looked back to as one of the important milestones in the history ot our united association. AVe do not know* how far we have to go- We do not know how long victory will be denied, or what tribulations we shall have to ask our people to endure. But we are absolutely sure they will not be found unequal to ' the trials, however long and however heavy, and that after these are over we shall preserve in our union and association the poise and calm for which we like to feel we have been honoured in the world, and shall take at least as large a part in leading mankind out ot miseries into which it has fallen as we took in bearing the brunt of the struggu which broke upon us five years ago. Mr. Fraser concluded: “Strengthened • and inspired as I have been with the clear, ringing reaffirmation by the conference of the faith expressed in our various declarations since the outbreak ot the war and particularly in the Atlantic Charter. I repeat and renew soteinnly, but with great pride, the Pledge given by the late Mr. Savage in 1939: AS here Britain goes, we go; where she stands, King paid an eloquent tribute to Mr. Churchill and the people of Britain as a whole. "Time and again, he said, “we have been moved and in; spired by your memorable; utterances, and he added, ‘We have all been deeply impressed and affected by the this country. Since that very different spring of four years ago the will ana spirit of the people of Britain have been a source of inspiration to all the peoples of the Commonwealth, and at no time was this truer than at present. .Vi the joint declaration signed by the Prime Ministers, he said r “ft is a clear and firm indication of what the British Com- - monwealth means to its members and to the world. It will be enthusiastically welcomed in all parts of Canada. Great Prospect Opened. Mr. Curtin, too, spoke in warm terms of Mr. Churchill, and said that the declaration “indicates broadly .the essential unity which marks this Commonwealth and the Empire, and expresses to the other nations its deep purpose—to be with them with all that vre have tub the war is over, and also our determination > to do all we can in the years to come to make the world a safer and better place. "I believe the episode through which We are passing has hastened the evolution'. ‘’f our association, strengthened it :ind given greater speed to our complete fraternization as peoples offering homage to the King and to the association over which he rules as marking the greatest contrat entity of governmental relations the' world has yet witnessed. Our association is one of kinship, common iota J and common purposes, and we say to the world at large that we ourselves, feel that a world organization for peace is an association into, which we will enter i and io which we will give all those qualities which we have and which we believe have enabled u s to play a very significant - part in the life of the world as a whole. Field Marshal Smuts said that the conference had an atmosphere of com- • radesbip and understanding unlike all others of the many Imperial conferences he had attended. This was due -argely to Mr. Churchill’s leadership, but also to the. importance of the subjects discussed. They had discussed matters tha. went to the root of their, own society and of all nations. "The conference has raised • ih:inv nroblejns, but .what has e been achieved is a victory of great, promise, as it opens up a prospect of wise councils, * wise discussions and great settlements for our world,” he said.