The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1913. THE EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 93, 19 December 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1913. THE EMPIRE.

At the orul of October the Sheffield .Cutlers held a famous i'oast, at which Lseveral notable persons were present, including many representatives of the Overseas Dominions and Dependencies. The High Commissioner for New J! Zealand (the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie) was amongst the party, and after speeches by Sir John Simon, the Duke of Norfolk, Admiral Sir Wilmot Fawkes, the Hon. Walter H. Page (United States Ambassador), Mr Mackenzie responded to the toast of "The British Dominion Oxer Seas." proposed bv the Lord Mayor of Sheffield. In doing so Mr Mackenzie said Xew Zealand, that ho had the honor io repre- ... I sent, might be regarded as typical ini it's development of what was going on :!rhroughoiit the length aiid breadth of; the Overseas possessions. He conlcl only wish that the people of Britain would regard those who left the Home-j land to seek their fortunes in the Colonies as emissaries, and to remember that whom they wont to any position abroad the t'6s of the Mother Country; did not leave them. These pioneers J went to extend the development of i England's possessions and to develop

markets for the goods which were made in enterprising cities such as Sheffield and many others in the Old Country. Mr Mackenzie also referred to the great interest which -New Zealand is displaying in the building up of an Imperial Navy. He expressed the opinion

thai until the various portions of the (ireat Empire were welded together in

some common counsel there would never he one truly Imperial fleet. He aJso asked whether it was right for the Overseas Dominions without an ade-

quate voice in Imperial affairs in proportion to their populations or contributions, continue building navies to he handed over to an authority elected by the people of one portion of the Km-; pire, and controlled by a Ministry that might be elected on some purely local; issue with which the Overseas Dominions could have no concern. Even though there might be no need i"'. - ; undue haste in this connection, it was; absolutely necessary that there should be no undue delay. . The sentiments' of Mr Mackenzie were most heartily applauded, and proceeding on the same theme, lie said'that in New Zealand, though he felt they ought not to rely entirely upon the Mother Country, attempts were being made to defeat the, work Xew Zealand had in hand, and; especially was that being done in Bri-| tain. The people of New Zealand had no right to interfere with England's

internal administration in any connec-j tion, and he maintained that England; had no right to interfere with the internal work New Zealand was carrying; out. The desire on the part of those', who were endeavouring to defeat New! Zealand's internal work was not from! any interest they might have in the country, but from the fear it might bej a success, and might be quoted as an example. In conclusion, Mr Mackenzie said he was voicing the opinion of many people beyond the seas in saying he hoped the time miglit not be far distant when some form of Senate might be established where the Colonics could voice their ideals and aspirations, leaving, of course, the Mother Country still to have, as she was entitled 'to have, the major voice in the great affairs of this great State.