DELEGATES ENTERTAINED.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1918, Page 4

DELEGATES ENTERTAINED.

| rAUSTRALIAN tv N.Z. CAULS ASSOCIATION] A BRILLIANT”*ASSEMBLAGE London, June 22 Lord Finlay presided over a brilliant assemblage of Parliamentary associations at a supper in the Royal Galleries of the House ot Lords. The Right ITou H. H. Asquith, Lord Crewe, Lord Curzou, Hon A. J. Balfour, Hon Mr Bonar Law, Hon Mr Long. Lord Milner, General Smuts, Karl Selbourne and many Lords and Commoners were present. Mr Lloyd George proposed the toast of the Cabinet colleagues from the Dominions, whom he said, represented most of the Democratic communities in the world. We know, he said, the shrewdness, courage and sagacity, they have brought to bear on the problems of the ” Empire. When men have borne the incessant strain for months and years, on the one issue, it was a relief to have the support of other minds, fresh and sincere. This, lie said, was supplied by the men from the Dominions. The names of Messrs Hughes and Massey are as well-known throughout the United Kingdom as in their own land. . These representatives of consciousness of the Empire, represented real help to our country, which was in real need. We know their people are fighting for the cause of freedom and right, and we also know they came more eagerlv and more readily, because they knew the Old Country championed their rights. The Old Country was proud, and was grateful. for their kinsmen repre.-enta-i lives who came to parrieipate in the Councils of the Empire, to eslal.ii.sli the best methods c-f right ! ami justice 011 eaith. Li this war, ■ Britain ami the Empire had disj appointed her foes sadly, bitterly, j arid angrily. Think what would | have happened to the world, had I the British Kmpiic nut been there. I It held tlie seas for ourselves, and | our Allies. Nothing in the history ■ of sea warfare, can compare to the . resource, skill, and daring, with ; which our Navy mariners conquered those sharks of Hie High Seas, j The work of the Navy was an old I story, but wine we had done on i land was something new. There i never had been anything quite like jit. In four years it had raised six; million men for the sea and land. Our nearest Dominion was a thousand miles away, yet they had sent a million men. Germany regarded ! these men as raw levies, easily to : lie swept away by her trained legions, yet, for the past three months, these men had held up Germany’s masses. This was a great achievement. Likewise, India was guarding the approaches to the Eastern Empire, and we would guard it to the end. Germany . thought that the ties which bound ; the Empire, were paper ties, which 1 would turn to black dust ac tlie • first scorch of Hie fires of war. It was most potent, that tlie ties which bound the Empire were ; tiiose of sympathy of common ideas ; and common aims. All that we hold best in the world is safer today by the reason of the existence ot tlie British Empire. The Cabinet Council was llieoutcome of previous conferences, accelerated into being by tlie war, and would lie the forerunner of a succession of Councils, which for generations to come, will wield the power of the greatest collection of nations the world lias ever seen.

Hon Mr W. Hughes followed, and said, that looking back over the past four years we were p ond to think that tlie Empire, despite the dread trials, was to-day more firmly united on tlie vital issues of war than ever. Tlie greatest battle of all the ages was now, waging on the issue of which, hangs the fate of the Empire and the world. The next few weeks may decide whether we will be bondmen or free, whether liberty and justice prevail or would be crushed beneath the juggernauglit of military despotism. We were all weary, worn with war, yet the Empire stands firm and united, and resolved to conquer, is assured of victory, and is resolved to have peace enduringly, based on liberty and justice. When tlie tocsin sounded the children of the Do-

minions took a great step, which confounded the enemy’s calculations and inspired every Briton’s soul and even now constitutes one of the outstanding features of the war. When the Empire was in danger, the free sons of the Dominions sprang to arms in the Empire’s defence. Before that, the Empire was to them an empty word, something vague and almost lifeless, but in the hour of trial, the Empire assumed a new and inspiring shape.What was dead became gloriously alive. The Dominions and India had played a pait in the war of which they might be proud, and in regard to valour, initiative and endurance he would let their deeds speak for them. No man could say how, or in what form, the Empire will hold together. We firmly and fervently believe it will not only hold together, but will be more closely cemented together by trial, tribulation and sacrifice. Our Empire will endure, because it rests on a granite foundation, because it is in very truth a league of free nations, each marching to its destiny in our way, but linked by the ties of blood and great ideals and material interests A clearer understanding of the problem confronting us will do much to make the Empire’s future certain. We from the Dominions, have realised during , the last few years, how little we understand Britain, even to the fuller extent of how little Britain understood us. This must pass away. We have realised how little we understood, and what little part we played in the great international policies, which involved us like you, in the war, and which threatened our existence. That day has gone. !We shall share in the common hazard, and must meet on equal terms to discuss the measures necessary for our safety. Our men, who have gone forth to fight for the Empire will demand a- voice in the Councils of the Empire. The old order must change, making us a veritable Commonwealth of Nations, to ensure peace, justice, and liberty thy work! for ever- The Empire

and the Allies are not dismayed, j but are as resolute as ever to face the military despotisms of the mighty legions. We do not underestimate Germany’s power, but; await the onslaught with perfect j confidence. The morale of our i armies was never better. We must face the facts and not live in a paradise of fools ; but neither must we permit any weakening in our will to conquer. It we stand firm, victory is ours. Let those babbling of peace be silent; also those doing Germany’s work, by trying to sap the nation’s courage. There may be much suffering and sacrifices ahead, but if we face the future with confidence and determination, then a lasting victory will be ours. Hon. W. E. Massey predicted good 1 results would follow the Imperial War : Cabinet Conference. He believed j that when the restoration period was reached, the Dominions’ representa- ' tives, would be able to furnish suggestions which chd not occur to the British Ministers, whose experience 1 was confined to England. Notwitli- ; standing the many disappointments ; since the outbreak of war, wo were not downhearted because we have confidence in oacli other and in our Allies. We might be faced with a. war of attrition, if so, the power of our Empire, more than equalled the enemy’s, and it was a million times better 10 carry on the war fora generation than to allow Germany to dominate tne world. He thought the darkest hour had passed and now there were indications of a glorious dawn.