IMITATION AT LAST.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 48, 27 February 1911, Page 7

IMITATION AT LAST.

THE CORONATION. EIGHT MEMBERS INVITED. The following cablegram, dated London, 24th February, lias been received by the Prime Minister through the Secretary of State for the Colonies: — "The committee of both Houses of Parliament, representative of all parties, wish to convey to you a formal invitation to eight members, of the Dominion Parliament to be their guests in.. London at Waldorf Hotel from Saturday, 17th June, to Saturday, Ist July, inclusive. This period includes theweek in which the Coronation is fixed to take place. "Applications have been made for the Earl Marshal to assign them places in Westminster Abbey. As it is anticipated that those accepting this invitation may desire to prolong their visit in order to see something of this country, the committee hope to be able later on to extend the invitation for one week in order to enable visits to be paid to the more important English towns. It is not possible to speak with certainty on this point at present. "Owing to the exigencies of space, it is not possible to include in the formal invitation to the Coronation and subsequent festivities, the wives and daughters of the members invited. At the same time the committee will be glad to provide hotel accommodation fcr one lady, being wife or daughter, and in, respect of each member that information, be sent, to reach here by 4th March, giving full particulars as to the expeci/ed number of ladies coming, and whether wife or 'daughter in each case. "In order to avoid misunderstanding and disappointment, the committee wish to state this clearly, that though they can only recognise members themselves as their formal guests, they will do their utmost to make the visit, not only of members, but also of the ladies accompanying them, as pleasant and agreeable a» possible.— (Signed for the committee), "Chairma-n."' Sir Joseph Ward states that he has cent a copy of the cablegram to all members of Parliament, and asked them to telegra.ph their replies. In the event of acceptance by members of the House it ie proposed to allocate five to the Government and three to the- Opposition. TO OPEN THEIR MINDS. [BY TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.} DUNEDIN, This Day. Interviewed re the. Coronation invitation, Mr. J. Allen, M.P., expressed the opinion that the invitation had been received too late to enable members to make travelling arrangements. He did not think any leading men of the Opposition would be able to accept. Mr. Massey could not go, but it was just possible Mr. Herries would accept. He believed it would be a really good thing if eight members of the New Zealand Parliament were to go, for the function would open their minds to larger Imperial questions. I