THE VICTORIA LEAGUE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8434, 4 May 1907, Page 5

THE VICTORIA LEAGUE.

MR DEAKIN ON "OFFICIAL CIRCLES."

Received May 3, 8.34 a.m. LONDON, May 2. The Victoria League, Lady Jersey presiding, presented the Premiers at the Imperial Institute with an address of welcome, signed by 1,200 members. Mr Deakin, in acknowledging the address, referred humorously to the interference with the work of the conference by banquetting and gaieties, which departmenal satirists might almost have supposed to have been carefully planned with a view of distracting them from the business of the Empire or preventing a better understanding. He added in a,half-cheery vein "Despite such surroundings we will not be crushed. (Cheers). If we seek in vain for some things in official circles, for sympathy and assistance, for the helping hand extended out to us in our remote countries, and for the action here so all-important at the centre, we can look to the leagues and the voluntary organisations of citizens to fill the place official circles are inclined to leave empty. (Cheers). The league will receive the cordial thanks of the peoples of the Outer Empire. If you receive less than your meed of recognition here, if the cold shoulder is turned to the league as it is to us, remember there is a warm hand on the other side of the globe grasping yours. After all, this country has been created as much without its Governments —sometimes despite its Governments —as with them." Sir Joseph Ward was equally applauded. He referred to the teaching of the Empire's history in New Zealand, and to the teaching of boys how to use a rifle. Mr Winston Churchill, Undersecretary for the Colonies, started to attend but wrote regretting that he had been recalled to the Colonial Office on urgent business.