BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 18840, 5 June 1920, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

EMPIRE PROBLEMS. GENERAL SMUTS ON NEW CONDITIONS. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian aid N.Z. Cable Association). LONDON, June 3. (Received June 5, 12.53 a.m.) General Smuts, interviewed by the Daily Chronicle correspondent, declared that apart from the grave situation in Central and Eastern Europe, and the apparent impotence of the League of Nations, British statesmen should give attention to the constitutional position of the British Empire. Geographically the United Kingdom was an adjunct to Europe, but politically it was the centre of a world wide empire. The United Kingdom seemingly did not give attention to the fundamental constitutional changes brought about by the war in the British Commonwealth. The old pre war British Empire was gone in the sense that it connoted colonies or subordinate nations dust ering round one master nation. Unfortunately the old machinery still remained.

I He disputed Mr Bonar Law’s contention j that dominion homo rule was tantamount I to a separatist republic, asserting: “We are j an organic union forming one whole with | the King as the connecting link. Dissohi- ! tion would be revolutionary. There must \ be complete equality and freedom enjoyed ]by sister states, united by the King, Only j on that foundation will the British Coinj monwealth last.” THE KING’S BIRTHDAY. CELEBRATIONS IN LONDON. LONDON, June 3. Although the King’s birthday will he official^ - celebrated on Saturday all Government offices were bcflagged to-day. Bells were rung at St. Paul’s and Westminster j Abbey. All the Royal personages in London called at Buckingham Palace. The King received hundreds of messages from all parts of the world including one from the Prince of Wales. PIvIXCE OF WALES VISITS TO VICTORIAN TOWNS. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). MELBOURNE, June 4. (Received June 4, 11,2 p.m.i Continuing his tour, the Prince of Wales reached Castlemaine, where a welcome change in routine was made. Instead of the Royal parade through tiie streets, the people ! marched past the Prince, who was watching from a platform. He then proceeded to Bendigo, where he was cnthusnastically received, and later returned to Melbourne. THURSDAY’S ENGAGEMENTS AT MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE. June 4. The Prince attended a garden party in the afternoon and a dinner by the Melbourne Club in the evening, and the matrons' ball at St, Kikla at night, completing five engagements on Thursday. THE SYDNEY PROGRAMME. A MILITARY FEATURE. SYDNEY, June. 4. A feature to be introduced in the Royal procession will be the participation of 1000 Light Horsemen. Material alterations in the Sydney programme are likely to result from the postponement. The people are desirous that the Renown should enter Sydney Harbour at 9 o'clock on June 16, but the navigating officers fear fog, which idea is scouted by local organisers.. The Premier objected to any alternative scheme to enter the previous afternoon.