EMPIRE’S PRESS

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4461, 5 June 1930, Page 4

EMPIRE’S PRESS

DINNER AT GUILDHALL. MESSAGE FROM TIIE KING. PRIME MINISTER’S SPEECH. LONDON, June A The Press of the United Kingdom arranged a dinner at the Guildhall this evening for the delegates to the Empire Press Conference. The Lord Mayor wore his robes, and turtle soup was served. The traditional waiters were replaced by girls front Lyons’s. Major Astor, M.P., who presided, road the following message from the King:—

“It gives me great pleasure to think that sueli a representative Empire gathering is now assembled in my capital. The occasion is one of great importance, for I know how valuable those conferences are, and how ntuiii they contribute toward promoting sympathy and understanding. I wish every success to your efforts, ami look forward to ineuting till the delegates in the near future.”

Major Aslor, in proposing the toast of the guests, said it was symbolic that the Lord Mayor should receive tin; visitors. It was a family welcome. Governments might rise and fall, and politicians might come ami go, but the newspapers were often permanent and stable. They hoped to show the visitors not. only historic monuments, but also living traditions of Britain, they would also show them such activities of national life as Ascot and the .Derby. As the overseas bad given generous help to Britain in her need, so they would give her help and sympathy in her struggle through the fog of domestic difficulties, in her struggle to discharge her Imperial responsibilities. “You will liml that at the heart ol the Empire the faith of the Empire burns brightly,” added .Major Astor. "B 1 might speak for the people ol England, I would say we welcome you. Colonel Woods, of Canada responding, said that Lord Rosebery’s words ol twenty-one years ago: “Welcome Home,” were still echoing. I here might he differences in matters ol trade tarilfs, but lie knew that all would return to their homes as one united, although only b.v building up the Empire's trade and commerce as a st%le entity would they be able to laee the rest of the world on an equal basis. Hon. T. Fink, of Melbourne, said that the traditions of Britain inspired the life of the people of Australia and the other Dominions. The work ol the Empire Press Union was only now 'commencing, but a wondertui first chapter had been written. The question now was whether we could retail the unity of the Empire. Former colonies were now independent political organisms, linked together by one tie and one only—loyalty to the Sovereign. Material considerations which were developing might- conceivably .scatter apart the different paris -of tin Empire. Independence might mean : divergence of interests which would dissolve the Empire. Mr Fink viewed with alarm ihe pus sible results of the autonomy to whirl they had succeeded. The task ol lo day was to solve the problem ol keeping together the British Commonweall I of Nations, lie Intel no panacea. Inti it was for the people of Britain t< decide whether adherence to an econo mie theory was the best way to serv* the Empire. All round the world lari-i walls were rising and British trad* was excluded. Australia and the oiliet Dominions had given Britain pteter enco. National desires and nationa ambitions were more powerful than economies. The British race was as virih as ever. lie felt that with goodwil they could solve that problem. PROBLEMS OF EMPIRE. ELOQUENT PLEA. LONDON, June .‘l. Addressing the Press delegates a“My friends,” Mr Ramsay .MacDonald pleaded most eloquently and hrielly, since his speech lasted only fifteen minutes, for co-operation between statesmen and journalists in solving the problem of how to com hi tie tm tional freedom with social development. They had to merge the Imperial spirit of rule into the Gommonweali.lt spirit of counsel. They had in do these tilings in the Commonwealth ol Nations and yet extend (he hand ol fellowship and co-opera I ion to the rest of the world.

The journalists <nt one side. and himself and Major Astor—-for though they differed on many things both wore members of the House of Commons—on the other had to conspire together to eon tribute to the solution of these problems. Lord Riddell described Mr MacDonald as the “Dean of our Gothic Cathedral,” and said that he would have made an excellent Archbishop of Canterbury.

The motto of the eonferoiiee was: “Let us all stick together.” Whether they did it by weaving words or by some kind of cement was immaterial. If Mr MacDonald Intel taken lii.s speech to Fleet Street, Lord Riddell said, he would have been very glad to syndioato it. It was good stulf. Lord Riddell eoneluded by saying that in listening to .Major Astor at the Guildhall lie seemed to hear the ghost of Lord Roseherrv speaking. CHANGING NEEDS. Mr MacDonald stated that forty years ago Professor Alexander, 0.M., gave him an introduetion to Lite Into Mr Courtney, who asked him to write a leading article on the spread of inllucnza in Central Europe. The reception of that- loader drove him into politics. “The Daily Telegraph did not lose much” said Mr MaeDonahl. "I lost the Daily Telegraph. I am obliged to Lord Riddell for suggesting that I might make a return journey. I’ll remember that when the time comes- ’ ’ Mr Fink said that the development of the nationality of the Dominions raised many new problems. The Empire was an ever-growing organism. Statesmen must meet the changing needs. Mr Esmond Harmswortli, a slim, dark youth, who'admitted ihai: lie was not old enough to attend the lasi conference, said that many believed that a stronger rope than sentiment would lie needed to keep the Empire together, lie predicted that I tie time was not far distant when a newspaper might wireless its whole contents front England to Australia.

AFRICAN PAIR IDT ISM. Mr 'l'. W. McKenzie (South Africa) described African patriotism as deep and si mere, though perhaps not so loud-toned as elsewhere'. Mr Charles Brundson Fletcher, editor ot the Sydney Morning Herald, said that the only tiling thev could not get ready made was a thing with roofs. The Empire grew from roots, and was still a long way from maturity. .If they could get the youth of Australia and the Empire thinking and acting all would he well. INDIAN PROBLEM, DIFFICULT. Captain Wedgwood-Benn, Secretary of State for India, said that India rightly asked for tlie recognition of equal status for Indians. The problem was very dillieult. Force could not provide a remedy, though the law must be enforced. Far from using a policy of dividing the Indian people, the Government was trying to secure racial and religious harmony. If the principle of British Dominion or exploitation were adopted, the days of British rule in India would be numbered. On the motion of Major Astor, it was decided to cable congratulations

to Mr John Walter T\ invan, President of the Legislative Council ol Western Australia, who has been created a Knight Bachelor.