N.Z. DINNER

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10262, 14 June 1911, Page 5

N.Z. DINNER

CABLE NEWS

United Press Association—-By Electric Telegraph — Copyright-

SPEECH BY MR HARCOURT.

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

(Received Last Night, 9.55 o'clock.)

LONDON, June 13

There were three hundred guests at the annual New Zealand dinner, which was held at the Trocadero Hotel.

Among those present were Lord Plunket, Sir W. P. Reeves, Sir-Wil-liam Russell, Dr. Findlay and the Agents-General. The Right Hon. L. Harcourt, Secretary of State for the, Colonies, in proposing the toast of the evening, said that New Zealand had been successful in solving the riddle of closer settlement. Two million acres of land had been thrown open since January last, which was evidence that opportunities were offering for British youths of small means. New Zealand's filial act in presenting a Dreadnought had helped to bind the nations of the j Empire together with a silken cord i which no enemy would be able to break. The Imperial Conference had marked an advance in Imperial co-op-eration beyond its predecessors. The keynote for future Conferences would be, not "centralization," but "co-op-eration.". SIR JOSEPH RESPONDS.

Sir Joseph Ward, in responding to the toast, said it was impossible to judge the Imperial Conference by the resolutions passed. Personally, he was determined to continue to urge changes in the Imperial system, which he believed were essential. In future, the Dominions would require to do more than return the protection which Britain gave them. A. combination of the nations of the Empire would make it impossible for any country to enter upon a policy of aggression. SOCIAL LEGISLATION.

Sir E. Montague Nelson proposed the toast of "Our Guests," to which Lord Ranfurly and Mr A. Fisher responded. Mr Fisher declared that New' Zealand had led the world in social legislation. Australia was 1 following, her example, and was, perhaps a step ahead. He hoped the time was near when Australia and New Zealand would be able to protect themselves against aggression, leaving the Home Country to guard the heart of the Empire.