GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXXI, Issue 70455, 5 October 1900, Page 2

GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA.

A MAGNIFICENT BANQUET.

Pbr Prrss Association.— By Electric Telegraph — Copyright, Received October 5, 1 a.m. : London, October 4. Every part of the Empire was represented at the Earl of Hopetoun's fare- < well banquet. Among those present ' were: Sirs Gerard Smith, H. Norman, W. B. Perceval, and Walter Buller, Mr i Ueeves (Agent-General for New Zea- • land), Mr Rolleston, and a large number of representative Australians. The guard of honour, consisting of invalided Australian soldiers, received a great acclaim on entering, and Mr .Wallace Kennedy sang Gillat'a song, " Australia's Cherished Dream." Sir W. Laurier, the Canadian Premier, cabled : " United Canada sends greeting to United Australia." Tributes to Mr Chamberlain's share in the achievement of Federation were received with great enthusiasm, and regret expressed at his absence. The Earl of Selborne, who presided, I in proposing, " the Prince of Wales," announced that His Highness had honored him with the command to deliver a direct message to Lord Hopetoun and the people of Australia, and his regrets that an engagement, made long prior to the banquet being contemplated, had prevented his being present. The message was received with tumultuous applause. Sir Horace Tozer, Queensland AgentGeneral, gave tho toast " The Imperial Forces," and said he anticipated an arrangement by which the Australian troops will be no longer colonial only, but the Empire's soldiers. The Right Hon. G. J. Goschen, First JLord of the Admiralty, in replying, paid a tribute to the splendid services of the Australians in the South Afrioan war, and their conspicuous courage and resourcefulness. Lord Lansdowne, Secretary of State for War, equally eulogised the Australasian forces. He said Lord Roberts, in almost every despatch, telegram, and private letter, testified to then: courage and resource. The colonial co-operation in ,the war was a proof of the abiding desire to be associated with the burdens of the Empire. Lord Selboume, in proposing " Our Guest," read Sir W. J. Lyne's cablegram embodying the joint congratulation of the Australian Premiers. The Earl of Hopetoun, in replying, contrasted the patience and sacrifices required to build up Federation in South Africa with the spontaneous movement in Australia. He himself was greatly sustained by the Prince of Wales' sympathy. He would try his hardest to justify Mr Chamberlain's choice. He left home life, children, high office near the Queen, for no single portion of the Commonwealth, and prayed for patience, tact, common sense, and reasonably good health. TTia speech was received with dealening cheers. Mr Copeland, the New South Wales Agent-General, proposed the " Motherland." Lords Halsbury (Lord Chancellor) and Carrington responded. Received. October 5, 9.40 a.m. , Sydney, October 5. Lord Hopetoun replied to Sir W. J. Lyne's message :—" Please advise the Premier how valuable is the expression of their united opinion.''