THE PREMIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13494, 22 May 1907, Page 7

THE PREMIERS.

DEPARTURE OF MR. DEAKIN.

A FAREWELL MESSAGE.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. ■ London, May 20. Mr. Deakin has started for Paris, in order to -join the Orient liner Orontes at Marseilles. A number of Australians bade farewell to the Federal Prime Minister on his departure. ' ■•/:.'," '

(Received May 21, 9.58 p.m.)

London, May 21.

; .Mr. Deakin in a farewell message expresses his grateful i thanks to Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman and Lord { Elgin and ; other Ministers at the (Conference for 'their 1 constant courtesies and to the Parliament and people of the Motherland for their "unbounded hospitality, and to the of all shades for their generous assistance. > " '■: He adds: "Any differences of personal opinion disappear when the greatness of the occasion and the value of such meetings is recalled. iMy own unaffected gratitude must not be taken as any qualification of ■my recent suggestions that the Conference in future should not assemble while Parliament is in session •nor where social obligations are ; jnumerous, and that none of those attending should be official guests. We Shope to see within the? next four 'years an independent > Imperial secretariate, acting with and for the independent representatives i of the Government of the Motherland and of the self-governing s dominions in providing practical co-operation towards Imperial unity of aim and action."

►■;; Mr. Deakin's' departure is the subject of many complimentary notices. [■The newspapers, ■ including the Daily • Chronicle, vie with each other in paying tribute to his forceful presentation of colonial views and his unfailing frankness, fairness, and tact.