GREAT SPEECHES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 493, 4 August 1902, Page 3

GREAT SPEECHES.

CHAMBERLAIN, KITCHENER, AND BARTON. UNITY OP EMPIRE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London August 2. Mr Chnmborlain and Lord Kitchener have rocoivod tho Freedom of the Oroeors’ Company. Mr Chamberlain, in a speech at tho dinnor, eulogised Lord Kitchoner’s pationce, tenacity, infinito resource, and chivalrous spirit in tho hour of triumph, making him a winner of Boor hearts. Lord Milner, ho said, was a great administrator, speoiaily qualified to comploto Lord Roberts’ and Lord Kitchener’s work, and lay tho foundations firm in South Africa. If ho himself had boon permitted to share in tho grocore’ recognition of Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner it was because in a degroo and moasuro ho had been associated with them in tho greatest task that could fall to modern statesmen. Thoy had co-operated in endoavoring to attain tho crowning aspiration, giving us for all time a united Empire. Dcfonco of tho Britiah interest and tho reorganisation of tho newly-acquired territories woro tasks inseparably linked with tho greater scheme of making “tho Empire" moro than a moro geographical expression—making it a living entity, each part contributing to tho success and security of tho whole.

Tho victories of peace and war had drawn us closor, and tho Empire's quickoned sonso of tho common interests in common

danger had produced a now and fruitful conception of tho Imperial of kinship and mutual obligation had boon substituted for more pride of possession, or huckstering calculation of profit and loss. Tho lesson of tho war to tho world wuß our strength and unity.

11 It bchovos us,” ho said, 11 to maintain and strengthen tho friendship which wo during tho war had learned tho valuo of. Any impulse of socrifico nnd devotion comonting a union attained in blood and toars must not bo allowod to wealton. Wo must cultivate the sense of mutual obligation nnd responsibility.”

Tho educational inlluonco of tho Premiers' Conforenco, ho said, was almost as important as tho substantial rosuls. Tho I’romiors woro animated in an equal degree with oursolves in a patriotic desire to strengthen tho links. There woro only two avonuos by which that goal could bo roached, through Imporial defonco or Imporinl trade. Ho was awaro that they could not attain the ideal forthwith at a singlo stop. Ho was inclined to think wo in Groat Britain woro more advaneod in those respoots than ovon tho opinion of tho oolonios, but it would bo unwiso to forco tho paco nnd ask tho colonies to do moro than goodwill would suggest. Ho concluded by saying that if fleets for tho protection of markets oponod up and maintained would not yield immediately an altogether corresponding return they should not bo in tho slightest discouraged. Our children wore invitod into partnership in tho Empire os thoy grow to nationhood, and would not bo backward in sharing in a great dogroo the obligations which tho Empire entails. Ho boliovod tho Conforenco would load to considerable results, and mark a considerable advance. If so, thoy might bo content at present to anticipate without misgiving tho future. Lord Kitchener made a modest speech.

The Lord Mayor, in giving the toast of •‘The Visitors,” mentioned Sir Edward Barton as an empire builder. Sir Edward Barton, in reply, referred to the natural difficulties attending the Conference. The delegates represented countries whose interests were so diverse to British institutions. The successes proceeded mainly from evolution. The Conference had gone some distance beyond the concessions of the 1897 conference. There had been a quickening of the pulse of the various parts of the Empire, an encouragement to endeavor, a desire for cohesion even stronger in proportion to closeness than communication. The Empire was one in sympathy, and, better still, there was an endeavor to take steps beyond the preceding ones. He presaged more united action. They must be content with such steps towards cohesion as were approved by the autonomous parts of the Kingdom where they were not fainting under the burden. Indeed, the Empire was only beginning to feel its feet.