DECADENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9091, 18 May 1908, Page 5

DECADENCE OF THE EMPIRE.

CARDINAL LOGUE AND AUSTRALIA. i ■ A DISCLAIMER. MELBOURNE, May 16. The Federal Premier (Mr Deakin) referring to Cardnial Lugue's statement in regard to the decadence of the Empire, said the "assertion that Australia was practically independent was only true so far as that they enjoyed the amplest power of self-go-vernment, which had drawn the Mother Country, and the Commonwealth together instead of thrusting them asunder. Mr Deakin undertook to see that a denial of Cardinal Logue's statement was cabled to London. f Recived May 17, 4.16 p.m. MELBOURNE. May 17. Dean Phean, addressing the Catholic Young Me I'a Society, said that the' cable message regarding an alleged interview with Cardinal Logue was a gross imputation against a prince of the church, and a prominent Irishman. Taking the character of Cardinal Logue and the character of the American press, the people would be slow to believe what they had read. The loyalty of Australia to the Motherland was indisputable. Australia was beyond enjoying such a measure as Home Rule. If the Australians were not loyal to the Empire it would be suicidal to the race.

Speaking at New York last week Cardinal Logue predicted the dissolution ot the "Empire." "The colonies are already restive," he declared. "Australia to-day is practically independent and every moment the trend of affairs is more and more in the direction of absolute rebellion."