COLONIAL INSTITUTE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9138, 6 May 1908, Page 5

COLONIAL INSTITUTE.

SPEECH B Y PRINCE OF WALES,

Press Association—Copyright. Received May 5, 10.47 p.m. , London, May 5.

At the Colonial Institute dinner at the Hotel Cecil, the Prince of Wales presided over 350 guests, including the Dukes of Argyll and Marlborough., Lords Loreburn, Dudley, Jersey, Tennyson, Alverstone, Rothschild, Lamington, Strathcona, Viscount Morley, Messrs Runciman, Sydney Buxton, the Archbishop of Sydney, Sir Montague Nelson, the Agents-General, and many leading Colonials. Mr Thomas Price, Premier of South Australia, in proposing the toast of the “Royal Family,” stated that it was hoped to divert the tide of immigration setting in towards Canada to Australia, which was preparing for the presence of white men by the great trans-continental railways, locking the river Murray—the Nile of Australia—and opening up the lands. Australia was also preparing to take her partin defending the Empire by promoting a vigorous cadet movement, and training large bodies reday to fight for the Flag. The Prince of Wales responded, and welcomed Earl Dudley, who, he said, would carry with him his heartiest good wishes on his high and responsible]] mission, though Lord Northcote’s departure was to he most deeply ragretfced. He feelingly referred to Lord Linlithgow’s loss, and stated that his own many visits to the colonies and dependencies had created a deep and continuing interest in the progress and welfare of all the oversea dominions which the loyal and affectionate welcome and the generous hospitality universally extended to himself, his brother, and his wife had intensified. He never forgot the many kind friends'made during those memorable experiences. The visits had enabled him to form an idea of our Empire, and realise its vastness, resources, and latent strength. England now meant England spread over the whole surface of the world. (Cheers.) The Prince of Wales, proposing “The Dominion Beyond the Seas,” dwelt upon the true spirit of the Empire, the ties and kinship between all parts, and the astounding progress made in improving the means of communication within the Empire Ijsince Queen Victoria ascended the throne. Co-operation was required for mutual interests and common aims. All must he ready to make mutual effort [and self-sacrifice. He hoped that progress might be made in thoroughly grappling [with the Imperial defence question, and strengthening military organisation in peace time. He also urged the importance of reciprocity in matters of education and in strengthening social relations with the colonies, making it clear that as colonists they were always certain to .find in Britain a home not in name only, but in reality.

FURTHER SPEECHES. Received May 6, 8.30 a.m. London, May 5. The Prince of Wales said in tire course of his speech: “We must foster the strongest feeling of mutual confidence and respect, and preserve for future generations by our methods of education and unity of action in everything leading towards the greatest ideals of civilisation, the noble heritage founded on the highest patriotism and sympathy.”

Lord Crewe, proposing the toast of the Colonial Institute, created a favourable impression, when, after remarking that South Africa was facing difficult problems, including the coming fusion of its different units with the same determination and grit which had enabled other parts of the Empire to solve theirs, he declared that whatever Imperial Government was in power and whoever the Colonial Minister might he, there would be no undue meddling. Their desire weald be to see those qualified to speak for tire Colonies carefully considering problems before attempting to raise an advisory voice.

Mr Parkin, responding, said that opinion in the Motherland and the Colonies was growing in favour of seeing the Colonial Office equally with the Foreign Office above the arena of party, and affording as it did an opportunity adequate to the highest ability and statemanship.