THE BANQUET TO THE DELEGATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7914, 5 April 1887, Page 5

THE BANQUET TO THE DELEGATES.

SPEECHES ON FEDERATION. [BIiELTEOTRIO TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT,] [SPECIAL TELEGRAM. 1 London, April 2. The delegates were entertained this evening at a banquet by the members of the Federation League, Mr, Stanhope presiding. Lord Rosebery said that, judging by the spirit displayed at the informal gathering of the members of the Conference, and the tone "which marked their speeches, the Conference was certain to be a. success. Among the speakers was Loird Beresford, who said the preservation of the strength and security of the Cape was necessary in the interests of England and Australia, It was, in his opinion, a more vital point of the Empire than the Suez Canal. He eulogised Commander Thomas of the Victorian Navy. Mr. Stanhope, proposing the health of " The Guests of the Evening," said one meeting of the delegates would do more towards a settlement of the dfficulties between the mother country and her colonies than years of correspondence. Mr. Griffith and Sir D Bell responded on behalf of the dele gates. Mr. Downer, in proposing " The Chairman," gave that gentleman great credit for seizing the most opportune moment to hold the Conference. He reminded the company that the Conference owed its existence to Mr. Stanhope's action when Secretary of the Colonies. Mr; Deakin, who spoke in the absence of Mr. Lorimer, made the speech of the evening in proposing "The army and navy and civil service of the Empire." He said the navy was the backbone of Imperial federation. The Duke of Cambridge, commenting on the loyalty of the colonies towards England, remarked that it was neeessary to keep their attention fixed on matters for the defence of the colonies, and said the Conference would have to consider the New Hebrides and New Guinea questions, and the deportation of recidivistes. He announced that a work on the Australian defences and the settlement of New Guinea, compiled from the papers of the late Sir P. Scratchley, would shortly be published.

Another telegram savs:—At the federation banquet Mr. Deakin dwelt on the efforts of Australia to relieve England in the matter of defence. Sir P. Jennings, Sir S. Griffiths, and Mr. Downer alluded to the necessity of the delegates grasping the imperial aspect of the questions to be discussed by the Conference. Mr. Stanhope lauded Sir F*. D. Bell's eminent service to the colonial office.