That Mr. Chamberlain has accurately interpreted the feel- ings not
only of Great but of Greater Britain is sufficiently shown by the action of the Australian Federal House of Repre- sentatives. Mr. Barton, the Premier of the Commonwealth, moved on Tuesday the following Resolution :—" That this House takes the first opportunity, in view of the despatch of a Federal contingent to South Africa, to express its indigna- tion at the baseless charges made abroad against the honour of the people and the humanity and valour of the soldiers of the Empire. That this House affirms the readiness of Aus- tralia to give all requisite aid to the Mother-country in order to end the war." In moving the Resolution Mr. Barton said that if, in answer to Great Britain's request, the Common- wealth Government had been told by Parliament to refuse the troops, the Government would have resigned. The leader of the Opposition, Mr. Reid, baying observed that the Reso- lution rose above the level of local politics, and that Mr. Barton had performed a great public duty in moving it, the first part was carried unanimously ; the second, relating to the possible despatch of further contingents, being adopted with only five dissentients. We commend the Resolution— notably the historic use of the words "soldiers of the Empire"—and Mr. Reid's remarks to the consideration of Mr. Asquith, who marred an otherwise excellent and patriotic speech at Hanley on Tuesday by a cheap sneer at the inter- change of amenities between Birmingham and Berlin."
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