LORD MAYOR'S BANQUET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8284, 12 November 1906, Page 5

LORD MAYOR'S BANQUET.

BRITAIN'S ARMY AND NAVY. BELGIUM AND THE CONGO. Received November 11, 4,27 p.m. LONDON, November 10. Mr R. B. Haldane, responding at the Lord Mayor's banquet, at Guild Hall yesterday, to the toast of the Imperial forces, said that Lord Tweedmouth and himself were conscious that it was their solemn duty not to diminish the efficiency of the army .and navy. He wished the nations of the world would abate their rivalry in armament. He believed it was the duty of every Christian people to . give the lead in this direction, but unless response was forthcoming, it was impossible in the interest of peace itself for any nation to 4et down its strength. The Marquis ot'Ripon, in the absence of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, responded on behalf of the Ministry. He paid a tribute to Lord Lansdowne's foreign policy, wnich facilitated continuity. He proceeded to hint that unless Belgium initiated some measures for. the amelioration of the condition of affairs in the Congo, Britain must, in concert with other nations, endeavour to apply a remedy, at any rate to protect British rights and interests.

Baron Komura, responding to the toast of foreign diplomatists, said that the Japanese nation were attached to their alliancev with Great Britain, and were united in their desire to maintain and strengthen it.