Foreign News: Two Calm Men

J. H. Thomas, Secretary of State for the Colonies, who was once a humble locomotive engineer, attended a dinner given by the Australia and New Zealand Luncheon Club in honor of Australia Day. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Devonshire, Mr. Thomas’ predecessor, were among those present.

The Secretary for the Colonies was the first Labor Minister to attend a social function and was, therefore, the cynosure of all eyes. Responding to the toast of “Colonial Secretaries, Past and Present,” he said: “Having accepted the seals of office, and looking back over the past five days, I am more proud of our Empire than I ever was before we passed through this momentous period. A sort of bloodless revolution has taken place. The most that has been spilled is ink . . .

“There were many who were apprehensive. The least apprehensive was our guest of today, the Prince of Wales. The only exception to him I would make would be his illustrious and distinguished father. They were the least disturbed of all people.

“They were the least disturbed because they were the most wise. They were the most wise because they knew their people better than others, because they have long recognized that patriotism, love of empire, service and duty were not the gifts of a monopoly of a class or creed; because they recognized that there were men born in humble circumstances, denied the ordinary opportunities of a university education, denied those privileges that come from real learning, but whose sense of duty, whose love of country and whose patriotism were equal to any other type of men.

“They were most wise because they were not unmindful of the fact that in the dark period of 1914-18 this great empire of ours, with all that it means and stands for, was defended and preserved by the man from the slum as well as the one from the palace, recognizing a common duty and common obligation.”