CABLE NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 2 January 1904, Page 3

CABLE NEWS.

■ Press Association.— By ElecPl'tric Telegraph.— Copyright.

PREFEKENTIA,L TRADE QUESTION.

AUSTRALIA'S INVITATION TO MX ,* GHAMBERLAIN. *MBIT THE*I»APERS SAY. Mft CHAMBERLAIN'S REPLY. Received 2, 8.21 a,m. LONDON, January 2, The Westminster Gazette says that Mr Deakin's invitation destroyed the colonial offer theory. Mr Chamberlain had been invited to go in order that the offer may come. The St. James' , Gazette implies that Mx,, Chamberlain will be unable to accept the invitation as early as Australia wishes, owing to his need for rest. The Pall Mall Gazette declares that Australia's invitation was a Nt r Year gift, and do mean contribution Ij fiscal reform. Received 2, b«33 a.m. * MELBOURNE, January 2. Mr Deakin has received the following reply from Mr ' Chamberlain : — I am deeply grateful to you and your Ministry for the flattering invitation and for tl>e assurance you give of a cordial welcome rom the people of Australia. I recognise the advantages and pleasure io myself of such a visit, as you suggest, but a^ fcms stage of a great campaign for the unity of the Empire, in which I rejoice to have your sympathy and support, I think I can best serve our common cause t>y de- | voting myself to its , promotion here. (where the Motherland" is called i pen to say what answer she will make to the ad-van-jes^ of her children across seas. I do I not doubt she will be ready to meet in I no grudging spirit all the proposals for I strengthening the bonds between us. UnI til her mandate has been given I cannot I leave -for a lengthened absence. At a I future time (I hope not a distant one) I imay.be able to avail myself of the invitaKumTs'o generously given, and meanwhile JB accept your, great encouragement as an pwidance that the Commonwealth of AusI tralia is not indifferent to the duty cast I on all of us in the present condition of I the world to weld together the »'.mpire, I which is our common heritage, v.-on for I us by the sacrifices of our forefathers, I and only to be maintained by the devoI toon of their descendants to the same I ideals."