BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

UNITY OF EMPIRE, MR. FISHER ENTif"STAINED, ... STIRRI.NG SPEECH FROM JIR. BALFOUR,/ Received Feb. 2, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 1. The Parliamentary Association gave a luncheon to Mr. Andrew Fisher (High Commissioner for Australia) at the House of Commons. Mr. Balfour presided, and Sir Thomas Mackenzie was present. There was a strong Imperial note in tlie speeches. Mr. Balfour said that previously It had always been a matter of speculation, when the Empire was so loosely knit together, if it was really capable of standing the stress and strain of a great crisis. There was no conclusive proof before, hut the South African campaign revealed happy auguries. Still the test of the great crisis had not come then, and it was still open to a cynical prophet to say that it was all illusion, and that the unity of the British Empire was merely amiable and agreeable talk, appealing to respectable sentiment, but more suited to fail' weather than rough.

• But now the storm had come in its 'fullness. Even the most acute prophet never perceived almost the whole world as actively engaged as now. The suffering and spending of life and property in the contest was unequalled in the world's history.

"How has the Empire stood the strain ancl stress? "Mr. Fisher will tell you the experience of one of our great dominions. We who have seen and heard what the Australians have done in battle know the value of their contributions to the Imperial cause. (Loud applause.)

"We have heard men who know what fighting is, who have seen great conflicts on the West front, who have known great struggles in the previous wars, say that the world has never seen, nor has ever conceived, fighting greater than that of the Australians and New Zealanders at Anzae. (Cheers.) "These immortal memories bring home in unforgettable shape what unity of Empire really means. I rejoice to think that Mr. Fisher is now among us, not as a visitor, but to bring to our minds the reflection that we live in an age which has proved to all mankind, and before the tribunal of history, that the free self-governing dominions can cherish sentiments of unity which have been supposed only possible under a central form of Government, either monareliial or republican. (Cheers.) The links of Empire have survived this test, which has been the greatest experiment in the development of empire that the world lias yet seen." (Loud applause.) Mr. Fisher, in reply, said that Mr. Balfour had said that until recently there had existed a grave doubt regarding the position of the overseas dominions. Prior to the war that doubt was much more in evidence in this country than in the Dominions. One of the reasons that it existed here was the lack of knowledge of their own dominions. The remedy lay in seeing more and more of the great overseas possessions and meeting people there. He knew no other way for the safety and unity of the Empire being maintained.

EXTENDING THE EMPIRE. - THE FUTURE OF SOLDIERS. - Received Feb. 2, 8.5 p.m. London, Feb. 1. The Colonial Institute entertained Sir H. Rider Haggard at luncheon prior to his touring the Dominions. Lord Curzon, who presided, said that the settlement of soldiers was one of the most urgent problems. Probably two million men would return, the laboi? market would be congested, and wages would fall. After the open-air life the soldiers were unlikely to return to factories and offices, but would want to settle and live a healthy life on the land. Britain's area and economic possibilities were restricted, and as we want to keep them British citizens they must be guided elsewhere.

Sir H. Rider Haggard, in replying, said that the Dominions presented an endless vision of vastness and richness. Anglo-Saxons might fill the world if they availed themselves of these vast territories. After the Boer war there, were 250,000 emigrants, whereof 123,000 went to the United States. We wanted to keep everyone of our soldiers for the Empire. Tens of thousands of the surplus women of Britain could be spared for the dominions. We must have cheap cable communication, which was one of the strongest bonds of Empire. He did not intend to interfere with existing schemes, and he would probably write a book upon the Empire and its lands.

OUR FUTURE KING. ENTERS PUBLIC LIFE, Received Feb. 2, 8.25 a.m. London, Feb. i. Much interest was displayed in the Prince of Wales' entry into public affairs. Khaki-clad and bronzed, and on special leave from the front, he addressed a public meeting of the Royal Patriotic Fundi? Committee. He said that the struggle the Empire was engaged in had aroused a wonderful spirit of enthusiasm among the British people. He dwelt upon the magnificent way the young manhood of all classes had responded to the call. He urged that generous efforts should be made to provide for the immediate needs of these men who had made the greatest sacrifices. both in army and navy, at the call of their honor, their King, and their God, RECRUITS FROM IRELAND. London, Feb. 1. Lord Wimborne reports that 143,869 Irishmen are in the navy and army, of whom 89,623 have enlisted since the war. It is estimated that 400,000 single men have not attested, and of these the essential industries require 300,000 men. WOMEN AT MUNITION WORK. London, Feb. 1. One hundred and nine thousand women have supplanted men in munition work, | letting them free for skilled work or the supervision ef women.