EMPIRE’S UNITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1923, Page 2

EMPIRE’S UNITY.

MIGRATION AND .MARKETS. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, May 20. The keynote of the speeches at the Royal Colonial Institute’s annual dinner, at the Hotel Victoria, was the marked unity of the Empire. Sir CL Lagden presided, and 250 guests were present. A message was read from various Deminion branches. Sir Robert llorne. in toasting “A United Empire,” said Hint the change whereby the Dominions were given a voice in questions of policy illustrated the progress the Empire had made. As a consequence of the war, the Dominions were given a new status. Britain welcomed the opinion of the Dominions on any subject, in order that it could bo discussed for the benefit of the whole of the Dominions. There was an urgent need for migration. Australia was in flic vanguard on the migration question. 'The whole prosperity and safety of the Dominions depended uiion population of British stock. The only real League of Nations in the world to-day was the League of Nations of the British Empi re.

Sir G. I’erley (Canada) said it was necessary that the High Commissioners should hold office in their Governments in order to be empowered to meet British Ministers periodically in connection with Empire affairs. Sir James Alien addressed the school children at Hackney on Empire Day, and was also the principal speaker at a large assembly of school children in the Guildhall, where he delivered a patriotic speech. Lady Allen, with other Dominion representatives, laid a wreath on the cenotaph on behalf of Now Zealand.

Lord Birkenhead returned to London last evening, and attended the Canadian Club dinner. In proposing tqo toast of thi> British Empire, tie said that their statecraft had never been confronted with more baffling or more complex problems than those of finding new markets and regaining those they luul lost in Europe; hut if tho prolilems were boldly and fearlessly faced, there was no reason why the Empire should not he self-supporting, ns the United Stales were.