THE CORONATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1063, 28 February 1911, Page 6

THE CORONATION.

MEMBERS AND THE INVITATIONS.

J WHO WILL GO?

It seems .not improbablo that there will. bo somo difficulty in getting eight members of Parliament together to attend the-Coronation ceremony in London on behalf of New Zealand., Almost without exception tho Wellington members yesterday purged up their lips and shook their heads when asked their intentions. The matter ' hns como upon them 100 suddenly, and requires 100 great haste. No-timo would be given to put an electorate ship-shape for tho impending election, nnd business affairs would have to suffer. There is also tho question of expense. Mr. A. L. Herdman, M.P., was quitq decided. "Xo," ho said, "I am not submitting my name; The view I take, however,- is that I think any member of the House who can spare tho time and money ought to accept the invitation and take advantage of it; but I do not think tho country should be saddled with tho expense of tho trip to and from London." v

"It isvery unlikely that I shall submit my name." said Mr. W. H. Field, "in view of the nearness of the general election, and because of my private business engagements.' I could not get ready in time. With a little moro notice there might liavo been a chance. It is extremely unlikely I shall go." Mr. T. M. Wilford: "I can't do it. I should not have timo to arrango my business, nnd therefore cannot entertain tho idea." '

Mr. R. A. Wright replied that ho could not see his way to submit his namo at present, owing to his bnsiness affairs and matters concerning his constituency. Mr. D. M'Laren had not received any communication from the Primo Minister and had not perused the published account of the invitation. He replied that he had therefore nothing to say. • Mr. W. Frascr (Wakatipu) replied' ttiat whilst appreciating fully the compliment desired to be paid to the New Zealand Parliament by tho&o issuing' tho invitations to attend the Coronation ho tcgretted to state that ho personally could not entertain the proposal at present. In an interview last evening, the Prime Minister said that so far the telegrams he had received from members in various parts of the Dominion, in reply to his. own wero all couched'in much the eame form. • The meritbers generally expressed their regret that they • could not accept tho. invitation. -Indeed, up to the hour of tho interview,-not a singlo member had expressed a willingness to proceed to London. The Government has decided not to entertain the idea of sending Homo a patrol of Boy Scouts to attend a command' Darndc nt Windsor in connection with the Coronation ceremony.

An interesting littlo.item.of yesterday's Cabinet business was tho accepting of a tender for a supply of Coronation medals to bo presented to 6chool children throughout the Dominion. Tho tender accepted was that of an English firm. Tho number of medals to bo distributed is 175,000. From tho Prime Minister's statement, a very interesting souvenir of tho coming event may be expected, for the medals are the best that school children out hero will havo had presented to them. '' ■ . ' " (iij Tclceraph-PrMi Association.) • .. • • . Dunedin, February 27. Interviewed ro.the Coronation .invitation, Mr.: J. Allen, M.P., expressed the opinion that the invitation had been received too lato to enablo members' to mako travelling arrangements. Ho did not think any leading men of tho Opposition would bo able to accept. TSlr. Massey could not go. but it was just possiblo Mr. Ilerries would accept. He believed it would bo a really good thins if eight members of tho New Zealand Parliament were to go, for the function would open their minds to larger Imperial questions. , •