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mentioning Mr. Massey (cheers), who is, I believe, what the
writers in the Press call “ The Father of the Conference.”
(Cheers.) He has attended many conferences ; he knows them
well, and I can only say that if the time ever arrives—and I
suppose such a time must arrive—when Mr. Massey may not
be able to attend these conferences, I trust that he will find
a successor upon whom to bestow his mantle who will be as
useful and as helpful in showing the true Imperial spirit as
Mr. Massey has always been. (Cheers) I couple with
the Toast the health of my distinguished friend and colleague,
Mr. Mackenzie King, the Prime Minister of Canada. (Cheers.)
I am quite confident that in him we see a man who realises to
the full, not merely the title of the Commonwealth of British
Nations, but who also realises its responsibility and its oppor-
tunities. At the present time we are outlining temporary expe-
dients by which we may be able to overcome certain present
difficulties. We believe that, at the time of the War, the
British Empire was one of the greatest factors the world has
ever seen. We are equally confident that the British Empire,
in time of peace, can be the greatest factor for the preserva-
tion of the peace of the world and the opportunity it gives
for increased happiness and prosperity. (Cheers.) Mr.
Mackenzie King represents a great Dominion with which
I had the privilege and the happiness of being associated for
a few years during an interesting period of our history
(Cheers), and he will, I am confident, return to his Dominion
fully assured that we in the old land are anxious to work in
the closest co-operation with them. (Cheers.) We appreciate
the problems which they have to face. We know that the
conditions there may be very different from what they may
be in the old country, but yet, by the frank exchange of views,
by a closer knowledge and appreciation of the problems which
face us, we can do something which will tend to the mutual
benefit of us all. (Cheers) In Mr. Mackenzie King we
have a Minister holding a great position, who by tradition,
by training and by experience is well-qualified not merely to
take a leading position in his own country, but who is
a worthy, a useful and a distinguished member fit to take
a place in the Councils of the Commonwealth of British
Nations. [ask you to drink the health of the Commonwealth
of British Nations, coupled with the name of Mr. Mackenzie
King. (Loud cheers.)
The Toast was enthusiastically honoured.
The Rt. Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING, C.M.G., M.P.
(Prime Minister of Canada), who was received with loud
cheers on rising to respond, said: Mr. President, Your Highness,
My Lords and Gentlemen, I thank you very cordially indeed