THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1920, Page 5

THE EMPIRE.

VOICE OF THE DOMINIONS. THE AIMS OP AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph.—l'reaj I Received May 14, 10 p.m. London, May 13. Sir James Mills presided at the Australian and New Zealand luncheon to Mr. W. A. Watt (Australian Federal Treasurer). The guests included Lord Ashfield, besides the High Commissioners, Agents-General, and many Anglo-Australians.

Colonel L. C. Amery (Under-Secretary for the Colonies), in supporting the toast of their guest, said Mr. Watts' attitude on Imperial politics appealed to him strongly. He paid a tribute to Australia's indomitable spirit throughout the war. It was essential to-day that Australia should be represented by something more than telegrams and documents.

He said Mr. Watt came to tell what Australia feels, thinks, and wants, and also to find out for his colleagues what was happening in all the complicated international problems confronting the Empire. He came possessing his colleague's confidence to get this information. No one could predict what shape Empire development would take, but whatever its directions it would be the outcome of meeting men of character from various parts. Only along these lines could the Empire grow. Mr. Watt, replying, said Australians hated war, but faced it. "We of the South,' he said, "were citizens of no mean country. True, we lacked history, but that was a fault time would cure. We in Australia and New Zealand would exploit all God hns given us, and never shirk our obligations. "We had fostered production, manufacturers, and trade, and we are doing our best to cultivate the arts and literature. Above all, we had swung into step with Britain's armies. Our men assisted your men to inscribe on find's firmament deeds of bravery and valor. There was a resolution to hold fast the crimson thread binding us as a united people." He hoped the League of Nations would come out of its cradle and spring to vigorous manhood, but it was having a troublesome time in the cradle. He paid a tribute to Colonel Amery's work for the Colonies. He had endeavoured to understand the needs of the far-flung Dominions more than any other man. During his mission Mr. Watt said he would have to give attention to financial matters, which were difficult to arrange by correspondence. There was ■the question of wool, and he hoped that when he solved this sum it would also serve to help New Zealand in the same direction. He trusted that at the Spa Conference the hand of Britain would not falter, but would support France to exact from Germany all she could pay. It was a pure economical proposition that payment should be made by Germany, and sentiment should not enter into it. He also wanted in the family council to make sure that the northern rampart from Samoa to the Bismarck Archipelago passes for ever from Germany's sight. Referring to emigration, Mr. Watt appealed for the '-spill over - ' from the Mother Country. Australia's open spaces wanted Britain's idle hands.

Sir T. B- Robinson (formerly AgentGeneral for Queensland), responding to the toast of the Australians, said he believed Mr. Watt's visit would result in great benefit to Australia. During his own visit he had been greatly impressed by the manner in which technical research was being developed in ail the leading universities. He predicted London would retain her position as the world's financial capital.—Aus.-NZ. Cable Assn.