THE COLONIAL PREMIERS IN ENGLAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10630, 8 June 1897, Page 3

THE COLONIAL PREMIERS IN ENGLAND.

(»a ffSIBM AWOOUTION.-OOPINHGBfc.) London, ?ane 6. Blr George Turner (Victoria) ani the Hon. C. C. Kingston (Sonth Australia) have arrived, and were met at the station 4ySlrAndrowClarke.andtheHon. Thomas Playford, Agent)>General, and Mesera H, F. Wilson and Balllte Hamilton, of the ' Colonial Office. The visitors were given a cordial reception, and driven in the Queen's carriage to the Hotel Cecil.

Sir George Turner, who is in excellent iealth, states that ho Intends to take an >e»rly opportunity of reorganising the tffioe of the Agent-General. He will probably divide the duties, leaving the diplomatic matters to be dealt with at the present office, and seleotlng an effioo in the olby where all bnnlness la to hi transacted connected with the importation of Viotorlan produce, the negotiation of Joans, and matters affecting Ylotorlao mining.

Sir W. B. Paroeval presided at a toanqriet given to honor ot Mr Seddon. In the course of his speech Mr Seddon «ftld colonists never thought of separating from the Mother Conntry. He praised the patriotism of Captain Rnsaell, the leader of the New Zealand Opposition, for suspending hostilities during the Premier's abienoe from the colony. &c defended the New Zealand Government's connection with the Midland railway, He said they were eager to encourage the investment of British capital for tfeo development of the mines of the colony, bat would, strenuously oppose fae schemes of market jobbers. Haerged the neoaa*lty for more rapid steamer service between New Zealand and Australia and England,

Mr Seddon visited the House of Comanear, and met the Hon. Mr Balfoar and 4h« leading members of both sides •of the Honee. In the course of a Tress interview Mr Seddon said ho did not expeat the Imperial Government to denounce the British commercial treaties with Germany and Belgium, bat thought they would leave it optional for the colonies to accept any future treaties entered into. He expressed the belief that the oolonies would insist upon better warships being plaoed on the Australasian stations, upon more vessels being placed In commission, and npon the vessels of the Australian auxiliary cqaadron being kept within Australasian waters, Ho said he was prepared to give & pledge that New Zealand waald in* crease her naval sabaldy, and would contribute towards the Improvement of the land defenoes.

[Received June 8, 1 a.m,] Jane 7. Sir John Forrest, Premier of Western Australia, has arrived, and was welcomed And honored in the same way as the other Colonial Premiers. Sir George Turner and Mr Seddon ▼lotted the military tournament. Lard Hopetonn (ox-Governor of Vlotorla) waited upon and cordially welcomed Sir George,