hear the invariable reference to home, even from the lips of those who
never had been or were never likely to be in these islands. And with
this loyalty were unmistakable evidences of the consciousness of
strength; of a true and living membership in the Empire, and of power
and readiness to share the burden and responsibility of that membership.
And were I to seek for the causes which have created and fostered this
spirit, I should venture to attribute them, in a very large degree, to
the light and example of our late beloved Sovereign. It would be
difficult to exaggerate the signs of genuine sorrow for her loss and of
love for her memory which we found among all races, even in the most
remote districts which we visited. Besides this, may we not find another
cause--the wise and just policy which in the last half century has been
continuously maintained toward our colonies? As a result of the happy
relations thus created between the mother country and her colonies we
have seen their spontaneous rally round the old flag in defense of the
nation's honor in South Africa. I had ample opportunities to form some
estimate of the military strength of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada,
having reviewed upward of 60,000 troops. Abundant and excellent
material is available, requiring only that molding into shape which can
be readily effected by the hands of capable and experienced officers. I
am anxious to refer to an admirable movement which has taken strong root
in both Australia and New Zealand--and that is the cadet corps. On
several occasions I had the gratification of seeing march past several
thousand cadets, armed and equipped, and who at the expense of their
respective Governments are able to go through a military course, and in
some cases with an annual grant of practise ammunition. I will not
presume, in these days of army reform, to do more than call the
attention of my friend, the Secretary of State for War, to this
interesting fact.