CABLE NEWS.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 265, 14 May 1907, Page 4

CABLE NEWS.

THE PREMIERS AT HOME. [BY BLBOT&IO MLEdBAPH— COPYBJGHT.j IPKB PUBB ABBOOIATION.I London, May 13. Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Mr Bent attended the Gaelic Society's concert in the Queen's Hall and spoke at an interval in the programme. The former mentioned that in one whole settlement iff Canada only Gaelic was spoken. Mr Bent referred to Australia's institutions for preservation of Scotland's language, music and pcetry. He mentioned that Scottish women in Australia were foremost in charity and Scotsmen were holders of tl-e highest positions in the State. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, at Gray's Inn, caid British law is indeed a bond of Empire, securing everyone of the Sovereign's subjects his entire rights. i The Hon. Alfred Deakin, following . with a great speech, remarked upon the law-abiding attributes of all the peoples of the Empire. "Amid its multitudinous government's, we find everywhere in its citizens allegiance to the principles derived from | the Motherland, and its great lawyers and their systems. Consequently to-day they had these discussions, which otherwise they might forego. When those present passed the loving cup he saw in that another symbol of the Conference now assembled in i London, and all that it symbolised." i He concluded by emphasising stimui lating the memories of the great heritage as arming the young and growing States of the Empire with courage, and enabling them to face new conditions and conquer whatever trials and difficulties were in store ; for them.

[PRB FABBB ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, May 13. The following has been supplied ; by Government: — j London, May 12. ! The Colonial Premiers were received enthusiastically at Edinburgh on Friday. Sir Joseph Ward delivered five speeches in the course of the day. He was entertained at breakfast at the i University. Over one hundred New I Zealand students were at one table presided over by Sir Joseph Ward. The Town Hall later was crowded at the ceremony of granting the Free- ! dom of the City. Sir Joseph Ward ! said nothing would aid more and 1 bring the old world nearer the newer than the display of good feeling, fellowship, hospitality and goodwill, extended to representative men from ! across the seas and it would have a i more lasting and beneficial effect than ordinary letter writing. In reference to the Conference he said that none of them were gifted with omniscience to enable them to foretell what the work already done would mean in years to come. The advantage of responsible members of the Government of the British Isles ' and of the self-governing dominion 1 meeting at the Conference table and exchanging ideas even though they differed on matters of importance must have the effect of giving greater knowledge of each other and of the difficulties and possibilities of overcoming them. He said New Zealand would stand shoulder to shoulder, back to back and hand in hand in endeavouring to put different portions of the dominions into one indissoluble empire. • New Zealand students both at the University and in the Town Hall and streets and at the railway station greeted Sir Joseph Ward and i forewelled him with a Maori song. The Scotsman, in a leading article, says that Sir J. Ward's speech was no rhetorical compliment but a statement of weighty fact, following upon a series of other demonstrations in other parts of the Kingdom. It further refers to the fact that New Zealand sends over one hundred students to Edinburgh University and asks who can fortell the strength and value of the influence these young men will bring there and carry with them. It also remarks that New Zealand has paid perhaps the greatest compliment Dy imitating the very names of the city and the chief features of their topography to which Sir Joseph Ward had alluded in the course of his speech. The Scotsman says we may believe Sir J. Ward that no newcomers are more appreciated in those new lands and none make i greater nor more whole-hearted citizens in tfte Antipodes than those of our own race and blood. Sir Joseph proceeded to Glasgow the same night' and to Dumbarton on Saturday to Denny's, where a large gathering witnessed the launching of the Maori. Lady Ward christened her as she moved from the ways, ; smashing a bottle in the orthodox . manner and resounding cheers went up from the crowd assembled as the vessel glided gracefully into the water. Immediately after the launch Sir Joseph addressed several hundred of Denny's workmen, who called for a speech, and complimented them upon the work and workmanship of the fleet of the Union Company's steam- ; ers built at Denny's yards which was notably demonstrated in the Maori. The speed of the steamer would > enable the journey from Lyttelton to I Wellington to be accomplished in nine • hours, which was all important to New Zealand travellers as it enabled them to join the city trains at both places with reasonable certainty. He alluded to the enterprise of the Union Company whose policy kept them well ahead in meeting the requirements of the public. After ' lunch Mr Denny proposed the health ■ of the New Zealand Premier in complimentary terms and alluded to the ' progress and development of New 1 Zealand. He expressed regret at the 1 death of Mr Seddon, who went • through a similar ceremony a few 1 years ago. Sir J. Ward, in acknow- | ledging the toast, said the colony ' would appreciate the kindly refer--1 ence to Mr Seddon, a striking personality who worked with unremitI ting vigor for the well-being of the 1 colony and Empire. 1 • At the presentation by Mr Mills to I Lady Ward of a memento of the j ceremony, and by Colonel Denny to ! Miss Ward of a memento of the occasion, Col. Denny proposed Mr ' ' Mills' health and paid a high com--1 pliment to the development of the f Union Company and the managment [ of Mr Mills. Messrs Denny had > built 38 steamers for the Union Com--1 pany. Mr Mills, replying, said the 1 policy of the directors was to keep ' ahead in matters connected with their ! , business. In one way or another the ' company had passed through their * ' hands 120 vessels, and to-day owned j 68, with a capacity of 130,000 tons. J They were anxious to meet the re--1 quiremente of the public, who had " thoroughly supported them in every 5 way possible. The whole party after--1 wards motored along the banks of ' i Loch Lomond to Arrochar, by steamer 1 ! thence to Loch Long and Gonrock, > and by train to Glasgow. Sir Joseph Ward leaves London on May 17th by the Mooltan to Australia from Port » Said « ——-——-