GEORGE V. ON THE EMPIRE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 391, 17 May 1910, Page 7

GEORGE V. ON THE EMPIRE

A NOTABLE SPEECH. With the advent of King George V. it is interesting to xecall his Empire speech made at tile Guildiiall on December 5, 1901, when the present King and Queen returned from their Imperial tomr. The Prince, addressing tike Lord Mayor, said: "It may interest you ,to know that we travelled over forty-thousand miles, thirty-three thousand of which were by sea, and I think it is a matter on which all may feel proud that, with the exception Port Said, we never set foot on any land where the Union Jack did not fly. Leaving England in the middle of March, we first touched at Gibralter and Malta, •where, as a sailor, I was proud to meet our two great Fleets—the Channel and the Mediterranean. 'Piasshv; through the Suez Canal —that monument of the genius and courage of a gifted son of the great family nation across the Channel—we entered at Aden, the gateway of the East, and we stayed for a short time to enjoy the unrivalled scenery of Ceylon and that of the Malayan 'Peninsula, and the gorgeous displays.of their native Taces, and to see in what happy contentment these various peoples live and prosper under British rale. Perhaps there was something still more striking in the fact that the government, and commerce, and every form of enterprise in these countries are under the leadership and direction of hut a handful of our countrymen, and we were able to realise the high qualities of tlhe men who have won and who have 'kept for us that splendid position.

"Australia saw the consummation of | the great mission, which, was the most immediate object of our journey, and you can imagine tihe feelings of pride -with -whic'h. I presided over the inaii«uiration of the new-born Australian Commonwealth, in whose (hands are placed the destinies of that great island-contin-ent. During the ihiappy stay of many weeks in the different States we were able to gain an insight into tihe working of the commercial, social and political institution® of whicih they justly uoast, and to see something of the great progress which the country has already made and of its capabilities, while at tihe same time mating the acquaintance ■of many of the wann-fhearted and large-, minded men to wihose .personality and energy so much of that progress is due.

CONCERNING NEW ZEALAND. "New Zealand affords us a striking example of a vigorous, intelligent and prosperous ipeople, living, in the fiill enjoyment of free and liberal institutions, and where many interesting social experiments are being put to the test of experience. Here we also had the satisfaction of meeting large gatherings of the Maori .people, once a brace and resolute people, now peaceful and devoted subjects of the King. Tasmania, which in natural characteristics and climate reminded us of the Old Country, was visited when our faces were at length turned (homeward. Mauritius, witih its beautiful tropical scenery, its classical, literary and historical associations, and its population gifted "with all the charming characteristics of old France, was our first halting place on our way to receive in Natal and C-ape Colony a welcome remarkable in its warmth and enthusiasm, which appeared to be accentuated by the ilieavy trial of a long and grievous war under which they .have suffered. To Canada was borne the message, already conveyed to Australia and New Zealand, of the Motherland's loving appreciation of the services rendered by her gallant sons. In a journey from ocean to ocean, marvellous in its comfort and organisation, wc were enabled to see something of Canada's matchless scenery, the richness of its soil, the ■bound'toss .possibilities of that and the partly explored territory. We saw, too, tflie success which iha,s crowned the efforts to -weld into one community tne peoples of those two great races. Our final talting-place was. by the express desire of the King, Newfoundland, the oldest of our colonies, and the first visited by his Majesty in 18(50. The 'hardy seafaring population of this island gave us a reception the cordiality of which is still fresh in our memories.

LOYALTY AND POWER. "Now, if I were asked 'to specify any particular impression derived, from our journey, I should -unhesitatingly place before all others that of loyalty to the Crown and of attachment to the Old Country. It was, indeed, touching to hear the invariable reference to home, even from the lips of those who nevei .had been or were ever likely to he in these islands. And \yith this loyalty were unmistakable evidences _of a consciousness of (strength, a consciousness of ■a true and living membership in the Empire and a consciousness of power and readiness to share the .burdens and responsibilities of that membership. And were I to look for the causes which have created and fostered this spirit, I should venture to attribute tlhem m a very laroie degree to the life and example of our° late beloved Sovereign. _ It would be difficult to exaggerate the signs of genuine sorrow for 'her loss, and of love for, her memory, which :we found among all .races in the most remote districts which we visited. Besides this, may we not find another cause—the wise and just policy which in the last half-century has been continuously maintained towards our colonies? As a result of the hapuy relations thus created between the Mother Country and her colonies, we. have seen their spontaneous rally -round! the old flag in defence of the nation's j ■honor in South Africa. I had ample I opportunities to form some estimate of the military strength of the Australia,, New Zealand and Canada, having had| ihe privilege of reviewing upwards of) sixty thousand troops. Abund:in! _ -excellent material is available, requiring I onlv that moulding into shape win/!: can be readily effected by the hands of, capable and experienced officers. I am! anxious to refer to the admirable mo-ve-| ment which has taken strong roots ins both Australia and New Zealand, and that is the cadet corps. On several occasions I 'had the gratification of seeing march past several thousand cadets, armed .and equipped ; who .at the -expense •of tiheir respective Governments, a.reable to go through a military course, and in some cases "with an annual grant of| practice ammunition. I will not presume, in tlnese day® of Army reform, to do more than call the attention of my friend the Secretary of Slate for War to this interesting fact. OLD COUNTRY MUST WAKE UP.

"To the distinguished represents lives of the commercial interests of the Empire whom I have the pleasure of meetin, <r here to-day, I venture to allude to the impression which seemed generally to prevail among theirr brethren! across the seas, that the Old Country must wake up if she intends to maintain her old position of pre-eminence in iher colonial trade against foreign competitors. No one who had the privilege of enjoying the experiences which we had during "our tour could fail to he strocli -nc all-prevailing and pressing de-

mand—the want of population. Even in the oldest of our colonies there were abundant signs of that need, 'boundless I tracts of country yet -unexplored, hidden | mineral wealth calling for development, vast expanses of virgin soil ready to yield profitable crops to settlers. And nil this 'Can be enjoyed under conditions of healthy living, liberal laws, and free institutions, in exchange for the overcrowded cities and the almost hopeless struggle -for existence which, alas! too often, is the lot of many ill the Old Country. But one condition, and one only, is made by our colonial brethren, and that is: 'Send us suitable emigrants.' I would go farther, and appeal to my fellow-countrymen at Home to prove the strength of the attachment of the Motherland to her children by •sending to them only of her best. By this means we may still further strengthen, or at all events pass on unimpaired, that pride of race, that unity of sentiment and purpose, that feeling of common loyalty and obligation which iknit together -and alone can maintain the integrity of our Empire."