A GREAT COLONIAL GATHERING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8123, 31 May 1906, Page 3

A GREAT COLONIAL GATHERING.

BRILLIANT SPEECH BY WINSTON CHURCHILL.

THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE.

TO BJS QUITE UNFETTERED.

Beceived 30, 11.11 p.m. London, March 30. Mf James, Agent-General, presided at the West Australian dinner. Hon. W. P. Beeves was among the gu»sts. Mr Churclull, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, proposing the Commonwealth, said although every expectation had not been fulfilled, federation was a great and glorious eyent for one generation to achieve. The present generation would reap solid advantages wd future generations would look back with reverence and enthusiasm. Australia's development had been grand, but was different from any other community in the world. Sometimes when he saw a population of milhons

trodden m the slush of groat cities or

forgotten and famished in vast ex- < pauses of territory, he considered Australia had been wise in following eollectivist rather than competitive ideals, and watching with care the fortunes of tho rearguard and weaker portions of the army of labor and industry. (Cheers), lie oomplimonted West Australia on its jtogress. eulogising Sir John Forrest's public work.

He was sure that in every part of

Britain there' was a great feeling of interst. in, and goodwill for the Commonwealth. They wore all looking forward to the Colonial Conference, an occasion that would revive and express the strong growing feeling of sympathy and agreement. Received 30, 11.52 p.m. Continuing, he said the Conference would be a free, unfettered and practically a friendly discussion, and would have only one object—to develop everything promoting the larger unity of the • Empire, and eliminate anything likely to prove harmful. The Conference would include a dozen subjects: law, «tritejf, trade, communication, education,' ifienco, anyone whereof was well worthy of the collective intelligence and combined discussion of the Empire's representatives. He toped intercolonial preference would be discussed. It was easy for two tariff gtates to make a reciprocal adjustment. It jriis an infinitely smaller thing for them to make such an adjustment mutually, tlutn for a country possessed of a totally different system to consider *ny alteration of its system. All intercolonial' adjustments might be made reciprocal treaties. Such being discussed, as he knew from his daily work, between the various colonies, most be steps in the direction of th it universal Imperial trade which un doubtedly was our objoct and which we would ultimately achieve. (Cheers.) Received 31, 12.47 a.m.

Mr Churchill continuing, said the British navy was strong enough to give a prieticil security to Australia, but that was not enough. Australia taut-find in the developement of g national citizen volunteer army the real and only guarantee which a strong nation should accept for its honour and existence. He advised Australians not to identify themselves with any one party in tke Motherland, but to look to institutions above the flow of party'politics, to the traditions and achievements in • the field, in war, jnd in learning, which were Australia's equally as they were the Motherland's. He emphasised the Government's desire to bring about and maintain friendly relations with the colonies, flu Government had a great work to do. What could be more foolish and idiotic than to go out of their way to give offence to the colonies 'i It was natural that Liberals should look with interest and affection on thpioneers of social experiments, whose Uvea were more progressive than ours. The Government wished to do their duty by the colonies—to do what was (air and right. He asked for reeogmition of the -honesty of their motives, and generous interpretation of their Wprdsand actions. Mr Chapman, Federal Postmaster Qeneraij replying, said Australia did Hot need any apologist. The CommonWealth never looked more prosperous from end to end. Whenever a note of danger to the Empire sounded, Australia would givobut one response. Sir John Madden, Chief Justice o'

Victoria, replying, said no one need

feat the policy of the Labour party. A ( / Jafge proportion of the party held a large stake in the country, hence they east their votes in favor of prudence. jJVeuld England ever want aid, every utrilian ploughshare would be turned into a* tr0! "l for En S' anil< Sir WuA, proposing West Australia, Mr Churchill to visit the colonies. He hopci the Conference would consi> •J ucsUou o£ au Imperial Council. Mr Kirwan,Westra - lia. relied. \ _