NEW EMPIRE SPIRIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1920, Page 9

NEW EMPIRE SPIRIT.

PRINCE OF WALES' MANSION HOUSE SPEECH. % his speech at the Manaioft House, where lie was entertained by the Lord Major 011 hits return from Canada, the Prince of Wales, by his personality, caubed quite a thrill of enthusiasm among the large and distinguished gathering present (states a message to the Melbourne Argus). Apart from a slight nervousness, such as was to be expected in such a young man, his demeanor and manner greatly impressed the Ministers and diplomatists present, in private conversation afterwards they expressed intense satisfaction at such an admirable representative of the Boyal House.

in replying to the toast of his health (which was proposed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd (leorge), His Royal Highness the l'rmce of Wales referred to his recent tour through Canada. He said: "Nothing appealed to me more than the large number of ex-scrvice wen who greeted me everywhere, often coming long distances, while ninny had been badly wounded.*, I cannot speak too strongly of the great debt the Empire, owes to tlfe soldiers and sailors who 3 fought in the war. I want all exservice men in every part of the Empire to remember me as an old comrade in. arms, and to look upon me in future a comrade in spirit. (Cheers.) I have, returned with a much clearer ide;i of what is meant by the British Umpire— l of what may be more appropriately galled the British Commonwealth. The British people have long left the Grecian and Eolnan idea of empire behind. "The Empire is now something far grander. It implies a partnership of free natrons—(cheers)—living under the same system of laws, pursuing the same democratic aims, actuated by the same human ideals, and the younger nations—Canada, Australia, Xew Zealand, South Africa, and India—who are now universally recognised as nations by the fact that they are signatories to the Peace treaties, which they fought so magnificently to secure. (Cheers.) India played a great part in the war. I look to visiting that wonderful country. Ihe position of the self-governing Dominions is different. They are inhabited by highly advanced democracies who have made new civilisations out of wildnernesses.

"Think what "the Dominions have achieved in four generations," continued the Prince. "Think of their noble sacrifice in the war.' There is no limiting the bounds which their progress anil development may some day attain. (Cheers.) It is no exaggeration to sav that the united action of thoßritish Empire in the war was one of the features least expected by the enemy, and the most effective in securing a victorious pence. (Cheers.) People in the Old Country must realise that the patriotism of the Dominions is national patriotism, not mere loyalty to Britain.. It is loyalty to their own British institutions, loyal tv to be w. r ; British system of'life'and Government, and, above all, lovalty to the British. Empire, of which "Britain, like the Dominions, is only one part. "I felt the inspiration'of this great ideq, throughout my tour, but I also learned that the loyalty of the Dominions is in a very special sense, lovaltv 1o the Crown, and the Crown represents the unity of the Empire. His Maiestv occupies exactly the same place in Canada and the rest of the British Empire ns he does in Britain. His house although originally founded in lu-itain belongs equally to all other nations of the Commonwealth. I look forward keenly to visiting in the near future the other Dominions, where I know I will feel equally at. home, I warmlv epprcciate my welcome in the United States. "The war has put an end to the idea " nil (led His Royal Highness, "that Britain is played out. The Dominions are the first to rerognwe that Britain look tiie first strain of the war, bore the I'eav'B'-'t burdens, and made the «reatcst sacrifices.

p wnr ' < ' 6t '" looks anxiously to I.ntaut for an example of confidence and steadiness. Britain's duty now is to Slum- tha world that she can work at adjusting / the social, economic, and industrial fcrnblo -t, „ enera , fairncss and sympathy, and siriva wholeheartedly towards the goal of happier condition's <'f life, ensuring that, every man and woman m the country mav enjoy the .lust proceeds of his or her labor, and that every child born in the country shall have, a fair sporting chance. Our problems can only be solved bv common cheers.) " < Prolon^