CLOSER ALLIANCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3212, 11 June 1909, Page 5

CLOSER ALLIANCE.

BRITAIN AND HER I COLONIES. CHANGE IN EMPIRE'S RELATIONS. GROWTH OF NATIONAL SPIRIT. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright, Received June 10, 8.40 a.m. LONDON, June 9. Mr J. W. Kirwan, editor of the Kalgoorlie "Miner," West Australia, responding to the toast of "The Guests," at the luncheon to the press delegates in the House of Commons, emphasised the steady strengthening of the spirit of colonial nationalism—namely, the spirit and pride of being Australians, Canadians ur New Zealanders. Yet a change was coming over the Dominions and the Empire. They were surely tending towards a period of closer alliance, and the Empire in future would be grander and greater than in the past, inasmuch as it would consist of a great family of new nations, which would give strength and pride to the Motherland.

Several Cabinet Ministers and all the London editors were present at ! the breakfast given to the press delegates by Mr Lloyd-George at his official residence in Downing street. The weather was delightful during Lord Northcliffe's entertainment of the delegates at Sutton Place, Guildford. There were no sp:eches. The 200 guests included Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, Viscount Esher, a membei of the Committee of Imperial Defence, and Lords Robert and Hugh Cecil, sons of the late Marquis of Salisbury. In the evening, Sir Richard Beachcroft, chairman of the London County Council, gave a reception in the Grafton Galleries. There were about a thousand guests, including the London Mayors and municipal officials