COLONIAL PREMIERS AT HOME

Hastings Standard, Issue 361, 1 July 1897, Page 3

COLONIAL PREMIERS AT HOME

: «. (Per Pits* AxM>i-iati'Oi. — 1 '(>]>nn)iht.) London, June 29. The Premiers met Sara Bernhardt, the famous French actress, at Sir Henry Irving's reception at the Lyceum. Madame retains kindly remembrances of her tour through Australia. Lord Rosebery entertained the colonial Premiers at a lunch, while the Duchess of Abercorn gave a reception in their honor. The Prince of Wales, desiring to know more of the colonial contingents will inspect them at Buckingham Palace on Saturday. June 80. The conference between the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain and the colonial Premiers was rseumed to-day. Mr Chamberlain raised the question of preferential trade in general terms, and the Premiers, having discussed the matter at a private meeting, decided that it was impossible to submit definite proposals, in the absence of information. They urged Mr Chamberlain to appoint a commission. The conference then discussed the Pacfic cable question, but an agreement on the subject is doubtful, as both the Hon. C. C. Kingston (South Australia) and Sir John Forrest (Western Australia) oppose the scheme, while some of the others display differences. At a private meeting the Premiers agreed to renew the contribution to the auxiliary squadron, but considered it premature to expect a larger contribution to the naval defence of the colonies.