COLONIAL PREMIERS AT HOME.

Evening Star, Issue 10341, 15 June 1897, Page 2

COLONIAL PREMIERS AT HOME.

BANQUETED AT LIVERPOOL. REPRESENTATIVE COMMERCIAL GATHERING. [Per Press Association.—Copyright.] LONDON, June 14. The colonial Premiers were entertained at a banquet by the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce on Saturday evening. The Duke of Devonshire, in proposing the principal toast of the evening, said that the colonies had never filled a larger place in the thoughts of the people of England than at the present moment, and the feeling was growing that they were citizens of the great Empire. In order to ensure increasing commerce it was necessary to find markets for ourselves. He looked forward to the creation of Australian, African, and West Indian Dominions, perhaps rivalling America in power and prosperity, but remaining parts of an undivided Empire. The democratic character of the political institutions of Great Britain and her colonies would not prevent the maintenance of an extended Empire. Sir G. Turner responded on behalf of Victoria. He said he hoped that the colonies would follow the example of the Canadian Dominion in federating. He trusted that before the year ended they would be in a position to welcome a United Australasia. ‘ The Times ’ says that the speeches of the colonial Premiers ring with youthful vigor. The new Canadian tariff and the discussion of the late Australian Federal Convention indicate that the Empire is on the eve of remarkable developments. IMPERIAL COMMERCIAL RELATIONS. The Duke of Devonshire said that for twenty - five years England had treated West in acpordance with the suggestions of parliamentary select committees. They had discovered, perhaps too late, the value or that territory, but they were now reaping the fruits of a wiser policy in the Canadian tariff, which was a long step towards closer commercial connection, and showed the success of federation, an example he hoped tfiat the other colonies would follow. Sir H. Nelson (Queensland) suggested 1 that English manufactured should procure all their raw products from the colonies instead of from foreign countries.