The Spirit of United Empire.

But in making mention of Sir Joseph Ward's wonderful achievement as Minister of Finance in the war-time National Cabinet, I have for the moment run in advance of his work in the building up of the spirit of Imperial solidarity which served us so well when the great tragedy of 1914–1918 befell the world. From the turmoil of local, often parochial, politics he entered early as Premier into the inspiring atmosphere of British Empire Councils. He attended the Imperial Conference of 1907, in London, and gave his views on the value of co-operation of all the units of Empire, and at the Conference of 1911 he enlarged upon that principle as the only effective method of holding the Empire together. He was the strongest advocate of a representative Council of an advisory character in touch with public opinion throughout the Empire. His views on Imperial development coincided with those of other progressive representatives at the Conference, and the sentiment of mutual co-operation on equal terms was developed with enthusiasm. Then in 1914 came the tremendous test of those principles of united action enunciated by the Imperial delegates, and we know how the British peoples the globe over put the co-operative theories into effective practice. One of the most discussed acts, several years before the war, the seemingly impulsive offer of a Dreadnought to the Empire, was a master-stroke justified by results. Therein Sir Joseph was a seer, a prophet; he had vision and imagination that were verified to the full.

When do you have your first smoke of the day? Lots of chaps start before breakfast and many save up the dottels from yesterday's pipes for their early morning smoke. Doctors don't recommend this plan, by the way. Immediately after breakfast is the time preferred by multitudes of smokers for a first “lighting up.” Others will smoke at any time, from daylight to dark. But some never exceed a certain number of smokes a day. Tastes differ a lot regarding tobacco. Here in New Zealand a pretty considerable proportion of smokers pin their faith to “toasted” owing to its alluring flavour and delightful aroma. It certainly excels in those respects—and in another—its harmlessness, due to toasting which rids it of its nicotine and leaves it pure, sweet and fragrant. “Once a smoker of ‘toasted,’ always a smoker of ‘toasted’.” All five of the genuine toasted brands, Navy Cut No. 3 (Bulldog), Cut Plug No. 10 (Bulls-head), Cavendish, Riverhead Gold and Desert Gold appeal irresistibly to smokers. But worthless imitations are on the market. Beware!^*