MR. BALDWIN'S APPEAL

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 109, 25 May 1937, Page 7

MR. BALDWIN'S APPEAL

(Received 25, 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 24. The Prime Minister, Mr Stanley Baldwin, made his last public speech as Prime Minister when he was a guest with the Empire Prime Ministers at an Empire Day and Coronation banquet arranged - by the eombined Empire Societies at Grosvenor House. One hundred and twenty of the distinguished people of the Empire sat at the top table, above which were draped ilags of the Dominions and Colonies. When the loyal toasts were drunk, permission was given fo smoke. Mr Baldwin produced his familiar briar pipe. He was the orJy man smoking a pipe at the gathering of 1200 people which was representative of the whole Empire. This gave a notable demonstration when Mr Baldwin was called on to propose the toast of the British Commonwealtb. The audien'ce. rose, pounded the tables, shouted greetings and sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" and gave three cheers for Prime Minister. Mr Baldwin, deeply moved, thanked the assembly, saying that there was no greater faith and affection than the singing of that popular national air before a speaker made a speech. "I could not have any greater honour than to propose the toast of the British Commonwealth in such company," he said. Mr Baldwiu surveyed at lengfch the Empire 's growth and tasks, and hoped that soon some of the best men of the Dominion would be traiued to assist in governing the colonies. There could Uot be any finer work than this for people with our history and traditions. Mr Baldwin referred approvingly to the ardent desire newly expressed at the Imperial Conference that the Empire may well exist to help the world besides the British nation, "so demonstrating our ideals to the world that they may ultimately triumph. ' ' He urged the necessity for concentrating on points of agreement rather than difforences, and added: "The country can do without logis but not without commonsense. Therefore we should not be overkeen to defmc our Constitution which, if we attempfc to deiino overmuch, may split the Empire into fragments.y "The British people at Coronation timo opened tlieir hearts into which the whole Empire walked, causing such a family feeling that will contiuue throughout history and may prove the most binding force nnder the leadorship of the King." Mr Mackenzie King, repfving, paid elqquent tribute to Mr "Baldwin 's unsurpassed understanding, The Dominions' guests ineluded Mr and Mrs J, A. Lyons, Mr and Mrs flf. Oasev, Sir Archdalc and Lady Parkhill : Mr 'M. J. Savage, Mr Walter Nash and | Mr and Mra S. M. Bruoe.