BRITISH EMPIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1927, Page 4

BRITISH EMPIRE

GREATEST LEAGUE 'OE NATIONS

ADDRESS BY BT. HON. E. SHORT’!’

WELLINGTON. Xov. 13

“You Xcw Zealanders may have lived here only a little over 101) years, hut vou have brought with you the traditions of the British nation and of your ancestors. They are yours as much as ours, and so long as we all i*.'collect that so long "ill the British Empire he Hie dominant force in the world.”

TKc* above wolds, uttered amidst bud applause, formed the opening remarks on a short address delivered by the IU. Hon. Edward Shortt, K.O. (England) at the second annual reuni,m of the Wellington Battalion held in the B.S.A. Club Room cm Sal nr(ljiv.

•’*! should like to.express my deep gratitude at. being invited to this gathering.” added Mr Shortt. “Tn point of miles I fool a long way from home, hut so far as the atmosphere rl the meeting is concerned I am at home*, for it i.s meetings like this that lam used to attending. This is more than merely a pleasant evening for all who a:e here; it is a memorial to those who have gone and a bond lor those who are here. It is essential to the peace of the world that we should keep up meetings such as this, for tliei help to make us remember "hat we went through in the Great Mar.’

The speaker then made mention of Sir William Robertson, who, ho said, was speaking up like a man as to what war really meant find to "hat it meant to the future and to future generations.

“Evcrv one of you who has a son should bring him here to know what war really means.” continued Mr Khortt. “To many people are forgetting alreadv. War has shown that the British Empire is an absolute League of Nations. 1 myself am a great believer in the Geneva League of Nations. \Yo members of the British Empire are the first. League of Nations, and as such we should always hold together; if we do then we are the greatest League of Nations the world has ever known, Unfortunately the Cuited States of America can no longer he called a purely British community. hilt T am sure that the true British descended American is as friendly towards the British as you could wi-h. They unfortunately have enemies among them, so one can't c-x- ---| peel them to speak of the English in the same way in which you New Zealanders do. Canada, the neighbour of the Cuited States, is as sure a member of the British Empire to-day as is New Zealand. There is nbfioltHoly no chance of Canada ever joining the Cuited States. When we realise that we have Canada. South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, all members of the Empire, then do we realise that we are the greatest League of Nations in the world, and the men who will keep the League going are men like yourselves with whom I ant proud to lie. So long as wo keep on ns we are at present we shall he the dominant factor in the world again. Let me repeat that T firmly believe in the Geneva League of Nations, hut still more do T believe in the League of Nations of the British Empire. So long as we are determined to remain one big family, and so'long as we continue tit remain so, then the world is safe for democracy.”

In regard to New Zealand’s attitude towards naval affairs. Mr Sliortt said that, speaking as one from England. he deeply appreciated the Dominion's strenuous desire to help in the Navy, and. above all. ho appreciated what New Zealand was doing for Singapore. He was pleased to see that New Zealand was prepared to put her hand in her pocket to take part in the protection of the Empire.