NEW ZEALAND DINNER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 327, 14 June 1911, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND DINNER.

, THE DOMINION'S EXAMPLE, if"" . . SIR J. G. WARD ON UNITY. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Received 13, 0.55 p.m. London, June 13. There were three hundred guests at the New Zealand annual dinner at the Trocadero Hotel, including Lord Plnnket (ex-Governor of New Zealand), the Hon. Pembcr Reeves, Captain Sir William R. Russell, Dr. Findlay, K.C., and the Agents-General. Mr. L. Harcourt. in proposing a toast, said that New Zealand was successfully solving the riddle of closer settlement. Two million acres had been thrown open since January. There was evidence that opportunities were being offered to British youths of small means.

New Zealand's filial act, said Mr. liarcourt, in presenting a Dreadnought had helped to bind the nations of the Empire together with, a silken cord which no enemy would be able to break. The Imperial Conference marked nil advance in Imperial co-operation beyond its predecessors. The keynote of future Imperial development would be, not centralisation, but co-operation. Sir J. G. Ward agreed it was impossible to judge the Imperial Conference by the resolutions passed. Personally, he was determined to continue to urge changes in the Imperial system, which he believed were essential. In the future the Dominions required to do more than return the protection which Britain gave them. The combination of the nations of the Empire would make it impossible for any country to enter upon a policy of aggression. Sir E. Montague Nelson proposed the toast of the guest?. Earl Ranfurly (ex-Governor of New Zealand) and Mr. A. Fisher. Commonmonwealth Prime Minister, responded.

Mr. Fisher declared that New Zealand led the world in social legislation. Australia was following her example, and would perhaps step ahead of her. He hoped the time was near when Australia and New Zealand would be able to protect themselves from aggression, leaving the Home Country to guard the heart of the Empire.