GREAT BRITAIN AND THE COLONIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9489, 19 April 1894, Page 5

GREAT BRITAIN AND THE COLONIES.

BANQUET TO SIR T. MoIL WRAITH.

IMPORTANT SPEECHES. Press Association.— Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. • , London, April 18. ATadinner tendered to Sir T. Mcll wraith by Queenslanders at present resident in London, Sir Robert Herbert, AgentGeneral for Tasmania, in proposing the health of the guest, said the Australasian colonies would never be satisfied until they had had a visit from the Prince of Wales. i /

Sir T. Moll wraith, who was accorded a cordial reception, referred to the increasing prosperity, of the colony. People, he said, were too much inclined to rely on the State. The colonists themselves Were probably stronger supporters of Imperial Federation than Lord Ripon was. He defended the annexation of New Guinea, and said great expense would be saved if the annexation were confirmed. He hoped Germany would soon surrender her claims. He praised the Germans as making admirable colonists, who settled down much better than the British. He admitted the labour members of Parliament in Australia were not such fire-eaters as they were expected to turn out, but they needed political education. If the colonies elected their own governors, the plan would result in the election of the worst men possible for the position.

The Marquis of Ripon eulogised the services of Sir William MacGregor, the administrator of New Guinea, and said he noted Sir T. Mcll wraith's admission with regard to the appointment of governors.

Sir T. Mcllwraith said the Queensland mining industry had increased ten-fold during the past few years. The sugar industry had an immense future before it. The Government at present in power did not require additional taxation. The separation movement in the colony was dead.