BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 18822, 15 May 1920, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

HON W. H. WATT. AN AUSTRALASIAN LUNCHEON. AUSTRALIA AND THE EMPIRE. (By Telegraph. —Press Assn.— Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 13. (Received May 14, 10 p.m.) Sir James Mills presided at the Australian and New Zealand luncheon to Mr Watt. The guests included Lord Ashfield, besides the High Commissioner, Agents-General, Sir Henry Galway, and many Anglo-Australians. Colonel L. C. S. Amery, in supporting the toast of the guest, said Mr Watt’s ataitude on Imperial politics appealed to him strongly. He paid a tribute to Australia’s indomitable spirit throughout the war. It was essential to-day that Australia should be represented by something more than telegrams and documents. Mr Watt came to tell them what Australia felt and thought, and Mr Watt had also to find out for his colleagues what was happening in all the complicated international problems confronting the Empire. He came possessing his colleagues’ confidence to get this information. No one could predict what shape Empire development would take, but whatever its direction it would be the outcome of meetings of men of character from the various parts . Only along these lines could the Empire grow. Mr Watt, in replying, said Australians hated war, but they faced it. “We of the south,” he said, “were citizens of no mean country. True, we lacked history, but that was a fault time would cure. We in Australia and New Zealand would exploit all God had given us and never shrink from our obligations. We had fostered production, manufactures and trade, and we were doing our best to cultivate its arts and literature. Above all we had swung into step with Britain’s armies. Our men assisted your men to inscribe on God’s firmament deeds of bravery and valour. There was a resolution to hold fast to- the crimson thread binding us as a united people.” He hoped the League of Nations would come out of its cradle and spring to vigorous manhood, but it was having a troublesome time in the cradle. He paid a tribute to Colonel Amery’s work for the colonies. He had endeavoured to understand the needs of the far-flung dominions more than any other man. During his mission he would have to give his attention to financial matters which were difficult to arrange by 1 correspondence. There was the question of wool. He hoped when he solved this it ' would help New Zealand in the same direction. He trusted that at the Spa Conference the hand of Britain would not falter but would support France to exact from Germany all that she could pay. It was a pure economical proposition that payment should be made by Germany, and sentiment should into it. He also wanted in the family council to make sure that the northern rampart from Samoa to the Bismarck Archipelago would pass forever from Germany’s sight. Referring to emigration, Mr Watt appealed for the “spill over” from the Mother Country. Australia’s open spaces wanted Britain’s idle hands. Sir Thomas Robinson, responding to the toast of “Australians,” said ho believed Mr Watt’s visit would result in great benefit to Australia. During his own visit fie had been greatly impressed by the manner in which technical research was being developed m all the leading universities. He predicted that London would retain her position as the world’s financial capital. ENGAGEMENTS IN LONDON. LONDON, May 13. Received May 14, 9.20 p.m.) The King and Queen will entertain Mr Watt and his wife at luncheon at Buckingham Palace on Friday. Mr Watt will spend Sunday with the Lord Chief Justice, and will be sworn in as a Privy Councillor on Monday. DEVOLUTION. SPEAKER'S COMMITTEE’S REPORT. (Imperial News Service.) LONDON, May 13. Received May 14, 9.20 p.m.) The report of the Speaker's Committee on devolution shows that the Committee are equally divided on the two schemes, but are practically agreed on the questions of the powers to be devolved, financial relations, and the judiciary. Under the heading “Powers proposed to be devolved,” are the regulation of international commercial undertakings, order and good Government, ecclesiastical matter’s, agriculture and land, local judiciary and minor legal matters, education, except Oxford, Cambridge and London Universities, local government and municipal undertakings, uni 1 public health. It is proposed to transfer to the local legislatures certain licen.se duties, any deficit to be made up out of income tax, while the whole position will be subject to review after five years. THE LABOUR PARTY. POLITICAL FIGHTING FUND. LONDON, May 13. (Received May 14, 11.40 p.m.) The Labour Party has launched a shilling fund for the purpose of raising £2,000,000 as a political fighting fund. Fifty thousand volunteers are canvassing the towns and villages. The appeal declares that the Coalition is an unholy alliance to wage class war and to destroy the Labour Party. PRICE OF SUGAR. HEAVY INCREASE RECOMMENDED. LONDON, May 14. (Received May 15, 12.15 a.m.) The Committee on National Expenditure estimates that the price of sugar must be raised from sixpence to 1/3 if the Government are to avoid a subsidy of £20,000,000. DEMOLITION OF LONDON CHURCHES. PROTEST BY THE CORPORATION. LONDON, May 13. (Received May 14, 5.45 p.m.) The City of London Corporation passed a resolution condemning the proposal to demolish City churches.