BANQUET SPEECHES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1762, 31 May 1906, Page 2

BANQUET SPEECHES.

MR WINBTON CHDROHILL ON AUSTRALIA. I Uy telegraph, Press Ans’n, Copyright Ilcooived 11.11 p.m., May 30. LondoD, May 30. Me James presidod at a West Ausl tealiaa dinner. Mr W. P. Roovos was I among the guosts. Mr Churchill, proposing the Commonwoatb, said that although every expectation had not boon fulfilled by federation, it was a groat and glorious event for one I generation to achieve. The present I generation would reap solid advantages I and future generations would look back i with reverenoo and onthusiaem. AuaI tralio’s dovelopmont had been grand, but it had boon different to that of any other I community in the world. Sometimes I when 1 he saw a population of millions trodden in the slush of great cities, or forgotten and famished in vest expanses of territory, ho considorod Australia wiso in following collectivist rather than competitive ideals, and watohing with oare the fortunes of the rear guard and weakor portioos of the army of labor and industry. (Cheers) Complimenting West I Australia oo its progress and eulogising ' Sir John Forrest’s public work, be said be . was sure that in every part of Britain | there was a great feelirig of iotorest in and I goodwill towards the Commonwealth. All ; woro looking forward to the Conference. . The occasion would revive and express a j I strong growing feeling of sympathy and 1 agreement.

Received 11 52 p.m , May 30. Mr Churohill, continuing, said the conference would be afreo, unfettered, aud prao ticilly friendly disoussion, and have only one object, to develop everything promoting larger unity of the Empire, and to eliminate anything likely to prove harmful. The conference would include a dozen subjects of law, strategy, trade communication, education, science, any one whereof was well worthy of the collective intelligence of the combined discussion’of the Empire’s representatives. He hoped intercolonial preference would be discussed. It would be easy for two tariff States to moki a reoiprooal adjustment. It was infinitely a smaller thing for them to make suoh an adjustment mutually than for a oountry possessed of totally different system to consider any alteration of that system. All intercolonial adjustments whioh might be made and all reoiprooal treaties such bb were beiDg discussed, as he know from his daily work, bi tween the various colonies, must be etep3 in the direction of th it universal Imperial trade whioh was undouble lly our objeol to ultimately aohieve. (Ohcots) Reoeived 12 47 a.m., May 31. Mr Churcbi 1, continuing, said tte British navy was stroi g enough to give practical security to Australia, but that was not enough, Australia must find the development of a na'ional oitizsD volun tjer army, the real and only guarantee which a strong nation should aooepl for its bo or and existence. He advised Austral ans not to identify themselves with any one party in the Motherland, but to look to institutions above the flow of party politics—the traditions and achievements of the field of war, the learning of whioh was Australia’s equally with tbe Mother-, land’s. Be emphasised the Government's desire to bring about and maintain friendly relations with the oolonies. The Government had a great wo k to do. Wbat could be more foolish and idiotic than to go out of Iboir way to give offence to tbe colonies. It was uatural tbe Liberals BhoulJ look with interest and affeotion on tbe pioneers of social experiments. Tbeir lives were more progressive than ours. The Government wished to do their duty by the oclonies, and to do what was fair aod right. He askjd for recognition of the honesty of their motives, Bnd a generous interpretation of their words and actions. Mr Chapman, Federal Postmaster, replying to the toast of Australia, said it did not need an apologist for the Commonwealth. It never looked more prosperous from end to end. Whenever a note of danger to the Empire was sounded Australia would give but one response. Sir J. Madden, replying, said there was no fear as to the policy of the Labor party. A large proportion of the party hold a large stake in the country; lienee they would cast their votes in favor of prudence. Should England ever want aid every Australian ploughshare would be a sword for England. Sir Joseph Ward, proposing West Australia, asked Mr Churchill to visit the colonies. He hoped the Conference would consider an Imperial Council. Mr Kirwan, of West Australia, replied.