THE OVERSEA SOLDIERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1917, Page 1

THE OVERSEA SOLDIERS.

TRIBUTE BY WALTER LONG

fI'KR P’.UiSS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON August 14. In tho House of Commons on the 'tnlonial Office vote Mr. Walter Long paid a tribute to the part played by the Dominions in the war. He said that the soldiers had shown thoinseibes ’ worthy of the best traditions/of the ; British Army. He was constantly receiving proofs of the admiration of the native races for Britain and their loyalty to the King. lie read messages from British East Africa and the Indian Association at Zanzibar and emphasised that their loyalty and trust in Britain should he encouraged and justified by our future treatment of natives. .Mr. Long mentioned that conscription was enforced in British Africa Uganda, Ceylon. Straits Settlements, the Malay States, and was being considered for other colonies. In the ease of Hongkong it had Iteen Sound that it was unnecessary because every white, man had already volunteered. The Crown Colonies had fully done their duty. Referring to the suggestion that the campaign in German East Africa ought to be brought more rapidly to a conclusion, the speaker enlarged upon 1 Ihe stupendous physical difficulties to I lie overcome. Oversea representa- ■ lives to the Imperial Conference had frequently expressed the hope that resolutions passed would not he pigeon holed. ITe assured them that he would do his best to ensure that effect be given to. them as early as possible. Referring to Imperial preference he said that obviously any policy of preference must be formed to meet the •; views of tho Allies. The 'Subject demanded continued consideration- and the appointment by the Prime Minister of a conference to report on the best methods and machinery by which effect could he given to the Imperial Conference resolutions evidenced the Government’s intention to take all the steps it could to give effect to tlio decisions. Air. Long said that he believed that the result of the conference would bring strength in prosecuting tho war and would help Britain to take some steps after the war to reap the full advantages of the lessons learned and to make the Empnc .stronger, and more powerful than before the war. Every'“Overseas" Minister showed a strong desire to promote, the interests of the Empire. . “What they really desired,” he continued, “was that we should realise strongly their feeling, but that it did not originate in a desire for increased territory or any question of that king. Their, desire wa's that after tie- war there should he a permanent peace in the world and •security of the 'Einpiie. The knowledge of the past efforts of tho Dominions and experience gained by the Imperial War Conference showoil that t,ho whole Empire wa s one, and is prepared to use its resources to make a combined effort to secure a final and complete victory,”