PRESS UNION

Southland Times, Issue 21100, 4 June 1930, Page 5

PRESS UNION

EMPIRE GATHERING

DELEGATES ENTERTAINED AT GUILDHALL MESSAGE FROM KING (United Tress Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 8.5 p.m.) London, June 3. The Lord Mayor, Sir William Waterlow, wore his robes, and turtle soup was served at the Guildhall when the Press of .the United Kingdom gave a dinner to the delegates attending the Empire Press Conference, but the traditional waiters were replaced by Lyons’ "nippy” girls. Major Astor, who presided, read the King’s message, as follows: It gives me much pleasure to think that such a representative Empire gathering is now assembled in my capital. The occasion is one of great importance, for I know how valuable these conferences are and how much they contribute towards promoting sympathy and understanding. I wish every success to your efforts and look forward to meet- • ing all the delegates in the near future. Major Astor, in toasting the guests, said it was symbolical that the Lord Mayor should receive the visitors; it was a family welcome. Governments might rise and fall, politicians might come and go, but newspapers were often permanent and stable. They hoped to show the visitors not only the historic monuments, but the living traditions of Britain. They would also show them such activities of national life as Ascot and the Derby. As the overseas dominions had 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 and in her struggle to discharge Imperial responsibilities. “You will find that at the heart of the Empire the faith of the Empire burns brightly,” said Major Astor. “If I may speak for the people of England I would say, we welcome you.” Colonel Woods (Canada), responding, said that Lord Rosebery’s words 21 years ago, “Welcome home,” were echoing still. There might be a difference in matters of trade tariffs, but he knew all would return to their homes as one united, although only by building up the Empire’s trade and commerce as a single entity would they be able to face the rest of the world on an equal basis.” Mr T. Fink (Australia) said that the traditions of Britain inspired the life of the people of Australia and the other dominions The work of the Empire Press Union was only now commencing, but a wonderful first chapter had been written. The question now was whether we could retain 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 parts of the Empire, and independence might mean a divergence of interests, which would dissolve the Empire. He viewed with alarm the possible results of the autonomy to which they had succeeded. The task of to-day was to solve the problem of keeping together the British Commonwealth of Nations. He had no panacea, but it was for the people of Britain to decide whether adherence to an economic theory was the best way to serve the Empire. All round the world tariff walls were rising, and British trade was excluded. Australia and the other dominions had given Britain preference. National desires and national ambitions were more powerful than economics. The British race was as virile as ever, and ho felt that with goodwill they would solve that problem.