TIGHTENING THE BONDS

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13474, 14 July 1909, Page 8

TIGHTENING THE BONDS

VISIT OF IMPERIAL DELEGATION. Sir Charles Lucas and Mr A. A. Pearson, representing the British Colonial Office, arrived in Christchurch from Wellington yesterday. In the course of a brief but interesting chat with a "Press" representative, Sir Charles said their mission had for its central object the idea of enabling the Colonial Office to come into closer and more human touch with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, and to obtain a clearer and more he ma n impression as to those young countries and their peoples. The Ueling that,such a mission might profitably be accomplished originated in a wish expressed by Mr Alfred Deakin, Federal Premier, at the last Conference in London, and Sir Ciiarles said it was to be hoped that the present visit would be the precursor oi similar visits in future years. It was realised at Home that" it was highly desirable to obtain knowledge at first hand upon the trend of sentiments in the great British overseas possessions, and tlio feeling tnat such information would do much* to remove incorrectness of views and preconceived ideas not based upon first-hand knowledge. "Our mission," .Sir Charles continued, 'was originally planned to occupy about six and a half months, but as a matter of fact a longer period will l>e requisite. We left the Home Country on February 26th, and reached Perth on March aOth. During our most pleasant stay in Australia we visited every .State, and spent rather more time than was intended in Sydney and Melbourne. There was so much we felt we might do to promote the objects that we had in'view, that we could not cover ihe ground with any greater despatch. Wo left Australia" on July 3rd, and expect to remain in New Zealand until August 9th. We then proceed via Sydney to Fiji, and spend twelve days there. We expect to reach England during the first week of October, making the journey thither via Vancouver and Canada."

Speaking of the reception accorded to them. fciir Charles stated that Mr Pearson, and he had received the kindliest .possible welcome in Australia, and they could only say the same of their Xew Zealand experience, so far as it had gone. They had met the leading Australian statesmen and citizens, from whom they had received every possible assistance and information. "We are having a very delightful experience in Xew Zealand," Sir Charles pursued. "We intend to stay three days in Christchurch, and then go on to Ihinedin. We are to spend two days sight-see-ing at Queonstown, and wo are both looking forward to viewing some of the magnificent scenery in that district. Mr Pearson is especially interested in the prospect, as he is. an enthusiastic mountaineer. After visiting the South w© return direct to Wellington, and three or four days later go on to Auckland,. We hope to visit Rotorua er- route.

"I want to emphasise the fact," Sir Charles added, ".that we have no definite political questions to discuss. Our object is to gain, a general knowledge of the personal sentiments of your people that may facilitate the relations between the Colonial Office and the overseas Governments. As to our opinions of the people, we were both impressed with the typical British attributes of the Australian citizens. We found Australia very strongly and staunchly British—much more so than we had anticipated. In New Zealand the same thing has been repeated. While it is not possible, so far from headquarters, for your people to "have such intimate knowledge of public questions at Home as obtains in- England, there is a de-finitely-formed and intelligently-direct-ed sentiment upon Imperial affairs prevailing throughout Australasia. The patriotic feeling is just as strong out here as a*. Home—if not stronger. We have also been very much. *truck with the wide reading of youjr leading men. on all points,* ana the fine grasp they hayo upon the knowledge necessary to build up a nation." Sir Charles concluded with a sly touch of humdur: "You may say that I am not going to write a novel or a book of any kind, on m'jr experiences and impressions-. The, result of our mission will be duly conveyed to the authorities, but no formal pnblic report will be issued."