COLONIAL PREMIERS IN ENGLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10479, 26 June 1897, Page 5

COLONIAL PREMIERS IN ENGLAND.

RECEPTION BY HON.T. BRASSEY, THE QUESTION OP CLOSER UNION. entertainment of THE PREFERS. MR. REID'3~MOVEMENTS. VISIT TO MR, GLADSTONE ARRANGED. Pr«u iMetUtlou.-«lKtrieT«ltpapb.-Copjii«hf London, June 24. Teos Hod. Thomas Bnwsey held a reception at Normajihurst Court, the Sussex seat of Lord Brassey. Amongst those present were the colonial Premiere and Sir Wesfby and Uij Perceval, Mr. Brassey urged that advantage should be taken of the presence of the Premiers in England to strengthen the .unity of the empire, adding that the colonies could help in supplying men for the nayy. Sir George Turner said the colonies would be delighted in effecting the closer union of the empire. London, June 25. All the Colonial Premiers, with the exception of Mr. Reid, were entertained at breakfast by Sir Jno, Lubbock, There was a distinguished company present, including Professors Bryce and Lecky. Lord Carrington entertains the Colonial Premiere on July 11.

Mr. Reid to-day lunched with Lord Hopetoiw, Be lunched with Lady Duff, the widow of the late Governor of Nlw South Wales, on Sunday, and with Lord Robbery on the 28th, Afterwards he will be banqueted by the Provost of Johnstone, in Scotland, his birthplace. On July 13th lie and Sir Wilfrid Laurier will be the guests of the Paris Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Reid return? to Sydney on July 21. Lord Carriugtpn has arranged for the colonial Premiers to visit Mr. Gladstone at Ha warden Castle on July 10th. Mr. Reid and Mr. Seddon dined with the Inner Templars on Wednesday. In honour of the occasion, they departed from their previously unbroken rule against proposing toasts, the special health of the colonies being honoured. CONFERENCE AT THE COLONIAL OFFICE. IMPORTANT SPEECH BY MR, CHAMBERLAIN. The first conference between the Premiers and the officials of the Colonial office was held yesterday. Lord Selbourne, Mr, Wingfield, and Mr, Branistone were present. Mr. Chamberlain, who presided, in the course of a two hours' speecch, said he wag pleased with the response of the colonies to his invitation to be represented at the jubilee. He hoped the Conference would have a practical outcome in regard to the subjects to be discussed. He explained the views .of the British Government in reference to trade relations with the colonies, mail and cable subsidies, the administration of the New Hebrides, defence questions, and the renewal of the naval agreements. No discussion followed the speech, at Mr. Reid's suggestion, the Conference being adjourned till Monday to enable the Premiers to discuss the question referred to privately.

The group were photographed for inclusion in the Queen's jubilee ablum.