ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13875, 12 April 1907, Page 3

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

(Faou Oux ■ Oir* CoajmpojinixT.) LONDON, March 1. It is announced that the United Empire Club, which was founded over two years ago in the cause of tariff reform and Imperial consolidation, has just scoured splendid premises in Piccadilly. Such a step was rendered necessary by the growth of the club. lx)th in membership and in standing. Originally started by a. few gentlemen of pronounced tariff reform ideas, who were also largely connected with the self-governing colonies of the Empire, it lias been carried 011 in a riuiet way, and now has a membership of about 90D. For some time past, the members have felt the necessity for a more active polio}', and especially that they should have com- • modious club premises. They have, there, fore, obtained 117 Piccadilly from tho Service Club Syndicate, and they hope to outer into possession about the end o! March. Tlio step has been reached at an opportune moment, as it. will not only enable ths club to taJce up its position as the social centre of the tariff reform and Imperialist movement in tlio metropolis of (lie Empire, but, in view of the approaching Colonial Conference, to welcome and honour the members attending the conference.' These premises overlook the fireen Park, and aro admirably adapted lor the purposes for which they will be used. : The definite announcement, has lieen mado this week that tlio Royal Colonial Institute will entertain the delegates >to the Colonial Conference at a special banquet on Wednesday, April 24. The Secretary of S?ate for the Colonies lias promised to occupy the chair on that occasion. A special meeting of tlio City Corporation was held yesterday, the Lord Mayor being in the chair, to make, further ar. raiigements in connection with tlio coming Colonial Conference. Mr E. H. Lamb. M.P., moved that Tuesday, April 16, should* jiu fixed (or tlio giving of a dejeuner in the tireat Hall at tlio Guildhall to the colonial Prime Ministers and other distinguished members of the conference. The proposition was approved unanimously, and it was resolved that the Freedom of the City should bo presented to cacli of the colonial Primo Ministers, in addition to an address of welcome, both the freedom and tlio address being presented in gold boxes, each of the value of 100 guineas. The dejouner will be followed by n reception in tho Guildhall Library and Art Gallery. • It is noted thnt at tho Manchester Hotel, in Aldersgato street, there can now be neon a wonderful collection of football curiosities. Mr Hanscombe, the manager, says that the Now Zeatandcrs' ball, mado in the antipodes and signed by the all-con-quering "All-Macks," ia tho most valuable Kugbv football in existence, and it is in bis possession, He also has tho South Africans' hall, s'gncd by tho Springbokon. This was one of tho half-dozen with which the team practised on their voyage to England;

Tho Royal Commission on Shipping Rings held its inaugural mooting on Tues<!ay. Air W. P. Itccvcs is ono of the mem> bers, and Mr A. Cohen, K.C., is the chairman. Mr W G. Sopor, chairman of tlio South African Merchants' Committee, was the only witness at. Tuesday's meeting. I-lis evidence related solely to matters affccting youth Africa, and not to anything that concerns or would interest New Zealand. At its rising the commission adjourned (ill Tuesday next. It is intended to hold weekly sittings.

Sir Novilo Lubbock presided at, the wnual mctting of the Royal Colonial In. Jtiiutc hat Tuesday afternoon. I have already sent you tlio' report which had hceu issued by iho council. Sir Montagu Ommaniiey, lion, treasurer of the institute, roitl ho believed that tho Kraut of rcspon»ible government to the Transvaal, which was very soon to be followed by the grant of a similar constitution to the Orango River Colony, would most certainly have Iho clled of pushing' to the front in the "ear future the groat question of tho ledoralion of South Africa. Tho Chairman, in moving- the adoption of. the report, remarked that by tlio proposed acquisition of the remainder of their present promises accommodation would bo about doubled. He expressed the hope that the coming Colonial Conference would not only strengthen but make permanent the bonds of Empire. He hoped the Homo Government would recognise its responsibilities in regard to the position of Jamaica consequent on tlw earthquake, and would do something on a large scale toward meeting them. He deprecated tho recent with, drawal _of British troops from the West Indies and the provision of only one cruiser for their protection. The council was arranging, on behalf of the institute, in extend a cordial welcome to the delegates who would shortly arrive in London to take part in the Colonial Conference. The Chairman added that the doubling of (lie existing accommodation of the insitute would involve an extra expenditure of nearly £2000 _ per annum. Certain parts of the Empire were verv much underrcpresenled in tho institute, and, while there were 1152 Fellows from South Africa, there wero only 126 from Canada. The motion for the adoption of the report was seconded by Sir Charles Bruce, and adopted. Mr Redmond (says Tho Times) received the following telegram from Wellington, Nov Zealand: "New Zealand mission terminated ; great success. Cabled £4500 first instalment for maintenance loyal plcdgeliouikl party. Exclude dissentients and faetionists from participation.—Mahtis Kkxneov." Tlio mission referred to is Ihat umlcrlakeii in the Antipodes in the interests of the Nationalist Parliamentary Fund by Mr J. Devlin, Jf.l'., and Mr .1. T. Donovan. For Iho third year in succession New Zealand will exhibit at iho Liverpool Exhibition, which is to open on TTic 12th March. Some good collections of New Zealand produce have also arrived for show at Hie Dublin Exhibition.