THE COMMONWEALTH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11937, 10 January 1901, Page 5

THE COMMONWEALTH.

THE END OF THE FESTIVITIES. DEPAETURIC. OF THE NEW ' ZEALAND CONTINGENT. THIS QUESTION OF PEEOEDENCE. Press Association—By Tolegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, January 9. (Received Jan. 9, at 9.37 a.m.) In the military snorts the New South Wales Lancers beat the Imperial men in the Balaclava melee competition. The proceedings closed with an exciting representation of a fight on the Indian frontier between the Indian Imperial troops, The Telegraph says that a. remarkable incident occurred during the Commonwealth procession. The sweltering heat of ■the day severely told upon some of the troops, especially the Englishmen. - The firemen of a suburban brigade, recognising their plight, handed them buckets of water, when not only the rank and file, but some of the officers, gladly accepted their kindly act. The disciplinarian gorge of one of the officers, however, rose at the idea of a State military ceremony being interfered with, and, drawing his sword, he struck one of the firemen on the head. The man was so badly hurt that he fainted, and it was some time before he had recovered sufficiently to allow of treatment. SPLENDID HOSPITALITY SHOW. (Received Jan. 9, at 9.45 a.m.) The New Zealand Federal troops return by the Tulanekai to-day. Many of the leading visitors are unstinted in their praise of the Government's treatment and management of affairs throughout the celebrations. Mr Seddon says that all the New Zealanders hero during the festivities were loud in their praise of tie management, and the , prevalent feeling is: " Your hospitality has been virtually boundless." The Herald, commenting in a similar strain, concludes its article as follows: — "But the success of the Federal celebrations throughout Commonwealth week was, after all, mainly due to the entire goodwill with which the people entered into the demonstration," DEPARTURE OF THE NEW ZEALANDERS. (Received Jan. 9, at 10.30 p.m.) The popularity of the New Zedandcrs was exemplified 'by the great send-off accorded them. A large crowd of New ZeaInnders and the general public were on the wharf as the Tutanekai embarked the Fedg-al Contingent. Just before the vessel saikTl Mr Seddon took his farewell. Mr Carroll presided in the saloon. Several toasts were drunk. Thanks were returned to New South Wales for the kindness shown. At 6.30 the steamer cast off amid the tootling of the whistles of ferry boats ontl the cheering of people ashore. As the vessel passed the warships in Farm Cove Hie mnn-o"-wai'smen clnmbered the rigging and cheered the departing troops. Mr Seddon has left for, Brisbane. RETURNING THANKS. (Received Jan. 9, at 10.55 p.m.) Lord Hopetoun has forwarded to the Federal Minister of Defence a message expressing high appreciation of the display by the troops in last Thursday'sreview. The New South Wales Colonial Secretary has sent letters to the heads of the Military and Police departments complimenting and thanking them on the successful manner in which they performed their duties and assisted the Government celebrations. The Government will entertain the police at ,i smokn concert and the Imperial troops at <a theatre party. ' ; ;' Colonel Crole Wyndham has expressed his delight at the splendid accommodation and hospitality accorded to the Imperial contingent. . MISCELLANEOUS 'MATTERS. The Federal Cabinet had a lengthy meeting, and discussed administration matters and the elections, and the policy it is understood Mr Barton will outline in addressing the Hunter electors on an early date. During the week an inter-State conference of public accountants has been held, including New Zealand representatives. Five and a-half million tram fares, were collected for the fortnight'ended January 5, representing £33,000. (Received January 10, at 0.53 a.m.) ■A number of New Zealand legislators have gone to Melbourne, including Mr Wilford (who undergoes an operation for ;i throat affection), Sir M. O'Rorke, Messrs Stevens end Palmer. A number of New Zenlanders were informally entertained by Mr Witheford aboard the Sierra. Mr Seddon welcomed the vessel as the precursor of a new connection with America. He toasted the Oceanic Company, and expressed (regret at the severance of old ties. The city to-day presented a strong contrast to the gaiety of the past fortnight. Most of the visitors have departed. The flags and other.decorations have disappeared, and the unillumiiied streets, with the absent crowds, seem abnormally quiet to-night.

THE PRECEDENCE QUESTION. MELBOURNE, January 9. The Moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly of Victoria, writing to the Age, explains why the moderators of the Presbyterian churches in the various States stood out from the Commonwealth procession. On reaching Sydney they found that preeminent positions bad been assigned to the Roman Catholic and the Anglican Churches, whilst the others were grouped far away at the other end of the procession. This was a gross violation of religions equality. They found that the responsibility for the order came from Downing street, and was intended to have permanent authority in the Commonwealth. Had the responsibility rested with the New South Wales Government they would have taken their places in the procession. He trusted that the Commonwealth authorities would bring their future action in the matter into harmony with the principle of religious equality. When, however, they found that Downing street was responsible, the moderators determined to make their protest emphatic. The question of the official recognition of the churches having 'been thus definitely raised, the churches would not rest lintiL it was controlled by the principle of religious equality.-. THE YELLOW QUESTION. „ MELBOURNE, January 9. (Received Jim. 9, at 9.59 a.m.) The Collector ~of Customs holds that under the Federal Constitution any Cliinaman who is a British subject will he able to demand free admission to New South Wales. Aγ, AUSTRIAN WELCOME. VIENNA, January 8. (Received Jan. 9, at 9.8 a.m!) The Fremdettblatt welcomes the Commonwealth as a new force in the world's politics, and as a factor which cannot be disregarded. It says that Aiistralia is destined to exercise a considerable civilising role.