Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11th, 1917. STRENGTH OF THE EMPIRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11th, 1917. STRENGTH OF THE EMPIRE.

News by the mail indicates that the Crime Minister, Mr. Lloyd George had a rapturous reception at the National Eisteddfod at Birkenhead. In the oourso of a speech the Prime Minister said that the affection of the Oversea Dominions for the\ Mother Country continued to grow, and would become deeper and more compelling as the years rolled on. When the war was over—and please G.od the end should come soon—humanity would recognise how much human liberty owed to the fact that the British Empire was not a sham, but a reality. One shuddered to think what would have happened hut for the British Empire with its resources, strength and millions of men who came from across the flood. This was the day of great empires, which were necessary for protection, security, and strength. But small nations were necessary for the concentration of the 'intensive system The pres'ent tremendous conflict was centred round little nations. They first accepted the aggressor’s challenge. Then the Premier went on to make an interesting reference, to the strength of the Empire. He was, as it were, anticipating the lies Germany was about to put abroad regarding New Zealand and the other Dominions of the British Empire. The most adequate reply to the exaggeration perpetrated by the enemy would he to spread broadcast Mr. Lloyd George’s groat tribute to New Zealand. Ho went on to say that the British Empire was a Commonwealth of many nations some of them were old enough to have seen the folly of many empires, but Canada Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were new. It was the more remarkable and a very significant fact chat the more clamant for nationhood young peonies became, the more their a If potion increased for the British Empire nud the more effective and more real became their contribution to its strength. Now Zealand had half the population of Wales, yet she had already contributed to the old country in her hour of trial as many gallant warriors as Britain had sent in the Expeditionary Force to France at thp beginning the war, (Cheers)

Yet, ho continued, local patriotism in New Zealand was as intense as it is in Wales, Scotland, Ireland or England. (Renewed cheers.) As a man grows in years distinctive experiences mark his features. So with nations as generations roll by. New Zealand, Australia', Canada, and South Africa would have distinct features which would mark out them in the assembly of nations. He predicted that tliieir affection for the Motherland would continue to grow. Their pride in the Federation of freo people would become ; deeper and more intense. The Ger- ! mans have not yet felt the final strain. When they do they will realise the binding value of real freedom. “If Russia had enjoyed more, freedom during the pence she would have been more united in the war. Unity in action is not the suppression of freei dom. It is the highest freedom. Tt i the strength of the British Empire I that has made up many free nations I some great and some small. To-day I we are one people, one in action, in ! resolve, in sacrifice, and , please God, we shall soon be one in triumph. Air Lloyd George always seems to speak as a seer. He is prophetic, always,- in his great .speeches, which come so much from the heart, and his keen insight into men and matters seems to give him a second vision, as it wore, which is prescient in it* perception. What he. says about the strength of the Empire fe very true. The whole fabric is knit together by a common understanding which is derived from the national freedom we are privileged to onjoy under the British Flag. And the experiences of these three years and more will cement that union for all time, so that for ever the British Empire will stand and remain ft great and mighty factor in shaping tho whole world’s business and happiness—one of the strongest of the strong.