THE PREMIERS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1158, 20 June 1911, Page 5

THE PREMIERS.

AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CLUB. MR. BALFOUR ON PARTY POLITICS. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copjrrislit London, June 18. Mr. Balfour, Leader of the Opposition, presiding at a luncheon at tlio Constitutional Club in honour of tlio oversea Premiers, said he lejoiced that lattor should honour tlio club. Iho Premiers themselves wero party politicians, and knew that the party eystem was essential to the working of freo institutions and representative government. Thereforo they wero all aware that the party system was not inconsistent with national unity. The members of the club welcomed them, at a party gathering such as that was, in no paity spirit, but fully recognising that their business in London could only bo conducted through the Government of the country for the time being, and that their visit was concerned with the development of tho greatest experiment ever made by a Government or a man.

Future of the Empire. Tho time might como when tho great growing Dominions would feel that it would bo preferablo to go their own way, liko tlio adults of a family. That might happen to the worldly-wise, and ho would say that it was probable; yet ho thought there was a higher and a better way. lie had dreamed other, dreams for tho future. He thought that as they more thoroughly realised in every community of tho Empire that each was to manage its own affairs, carry out its own life, mako its own experiments as a political atom, they would appreciate the fact that it was upon that solid basis that there had been built np something the world had never beforo seen—tho coalition of free, self-governing communities, conscious that they would never be more masters of their own fate than when recognising that they were parts of a great whole. He saw the beginnings to-day, of which posterity would see tho full fruition. Such conferences as those now proceeding would help towards the realisation of tho ideal and the great cause for which their visitors were labouring. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canadian Prime Minister, in responding, said Canadians had hoisted the policy of British preference on the topmast, there to stay. Reciprocity with the United States would not involve the slightest danger to the Motherland's interests. Whatever privileges wero granted to others would le given equally to Britain. MR. FISHER AND THE "GUINEA STAMP."

SCIENCE GUILD BANQUET.' London, June 18. The British Empire League and Science Guild banqueted the oversea visitors at the Savoy Hotel. The Duke of Devonshire presided, and there wera 300 guests present. Mr. T. H. Warren, Head of Magdalen College, referred to Mr. Fisher's refusal to accept the Oxford honorary degree. He said ho thought the sentiment of Burns was right; yet tho "guinea stamp" was not to bj despised. Mr. Fisher replied. that it was not on account of false modesty, but because in his youth he had had other disabilities, that ho had asked to be excused from accepting the honour. Speaking* o'f tho IniperMl Conference, he said the Conference had already been fruitful of good results. The British Government had invited the delegates to its very fireside, and had asked them to come right inside and learn what it intended doing for the protection of all parts of the Empire. Mr. Fisher added that the Australian Government would give the matter of tho establishment of a Solar Observatory its cordial and favourable consideration.

CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS. SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD. London, June 13. Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at a meeting of the British and Colonial Technical Students' International Correspondence Schools, held at the Festival of Empire, congratulated the organisation on having 160,000 students throughout the world. He said he would follow the Australian Postmaster-General's example, and urgo the officials of tho Department to join the organisation. The Imperial Conference delegates would be glad to receive the assistance of any movement similar to this in disseminating Imperial ideas, while probably not agreeing with the details. He hoped the leaders of tho organisation would impress correspondents with this all-important consideration in view of developments in the countries belonging to Britain, which had a worldwide Navy for the protection of the various parts of the Empire.