COLONIAL PREMIERS AT HOME

Hastings Standard, Issue 365, 6 July 1897, Page 3

COLONIAL PREMIERS AT HOME

* THE NATIONAL CLUB BANQUET. THE AUSTRALIAN SQUADRON. THE ADMIRALTY'S PROPOSALS OPPOSED. (f'cr Preus Association —Copyright). Loxdox. -July 5. At the National Liberal Club luncheon on Saturday Sir George Turner, replying to the toast of the " British Parliament," urged that England yliculd adopt some of the Australian advanced legislation. Lord Ilosebsry said that unless the record reign celebrations were soon brought to a close it would be necessary to give the dyspeptic colonial Premiers State funerals at Westminster Abbey. The time, he said, had passed for using the word colonies ; he preferred the term Empire. The Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, referring to Mr Goschen's remarks at the Hotel Cecil banquet rvith regard to the Australasian contributions to the navy, said the loyality of the colonies was net measured by contributions to specific objects, but by the fighting supremacy of the race. New Zealand was uncomplainingly paying interest on £11,000,000 spent in holding the colony for England. The Premiers were to-day banquetted at Trinity House. The Prince of Wales, who was amongst the speakers, said the recent naval review at Spithead had doubtless convinced the Premiers that the Empire was resting on a safe basis. The Duke of SaxeCoburg eulogised the smartness, discipline, and efficiency of the colonial troops as displayed in the jubilee celebrations. At a meeting the Premiers discussed and unanimously decided to oppose the proposal that the Admiral on the station should be fre j to send the ships of the Australian auxiliary squadron anywhere in the time of war. They insisted that there should be a limitation to the powers of the Admiral with regard to utilising the squadron, otherwise the intercolonial steamers would be placed at the mercy of the enemy. THE GERMAN AND BELGIUM TREATIES. THE PREMIERS WANT THEM DENOUNCED. London, July 5. The meeting of Premiers resolvH to support the Right Hon. Mr Laurier in demanding that the British Government should denounce the Belgium and German treaties. This decision was unanimous. It is unlikely, however, that Mr Chamberlain will agree to denounce the treaties. He will in all probability adhere to the despatch of Lord liipon when Secretary of State for the Colonies in preference to the Colonial Conference at Ottawa. The Earl of Jersey entertained the Premiers at his country seat, Osterley Park. They, with many notable people, were present at Mr Beerbohm Tree's stage reception at Her Majesty's Theatre.