COLONIAL POLITICIANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15549, 5 March 1914, Page 7

COLONIAL POLITICIANS.

LUMCHCON IN COMMONS.

PRAISE FOR AUSTRALASIA.

SPEECH BY MR. MYERS.

DOMINION LEGISLATION.

By Telegraph Press Association— Copyright.

London, March 4. A luncheon was given yesterday by the Empire Parliamentary Union to Mr. D. F. Denham (Premier of Queensland) and Mr. A M. Myers (M.P. for Auckland East). Mr. L. V. Harcourt (Colonial Secretary) presided over the gathering which was held in the House of Commons.

The Duke of Argyll, Viscount Bryce, Lord Plunket, Sir T. B. Robinson (Agent-General for Queensland), and many members of the House of Commons, and their wives were present.

Lord Einmott (Under-Secretary for the Colonies), in proposing the health of the guests, paid a tribute to the reception given the British Parliamentary Party by Australia and New Zealand.

The social legislation of these Dominions, he said, was deeply interesting and was inspired by a desire to benefit millions rather than millionaires.

Mr. Denham advocated that State Parliaments should be incorporated in the Parliamentary Association on the same terms as the Commonwealth. Britishers often forget, he added, that the States have sovereign rights.

Mr. Myers detailed the reproductive character of the New Zealand debt, and referred to the popularity of _ the defence system. He explained the tendencies of social legislation in New Zealand.

The Duke of Argyll, said the Motherland should take hints from the experience of the Dominions. The Dominions in many aspects of democracy were older than Britain, and had given her a lead in making patriotic sacrifices on behalf of defence.