7 DECEMBER 1912, Page 17

The nearer the heart the fewer the words. It would

be treating Canada not on an equality and not as "one of the family" to indulge in any elaborate language of gratitude for thus taking up her share of the Imperial burden. For our- selves we never doubted that when the need came, and also the strength of shoulder, Canada would act as she has acted. She realises that absolute freedom to fulfil her destiny on her own lines is only, and can only be, secured to her while the Empire endures and she is part of it. She realises further that in the last resort the Empire rests upon the command of the sea. The Empire is a necklace of pearls, and the thread which holds it together and makes it a necklace and not a fortuitous con- course of beads, is the thread of sea power.