THE LORD MAYOR'S BANQUET.

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 17 August 1888, Page 9

THE LORD MAYOR'S BANQUET.

THE SITUATION AT HOME AND ABROAD. (Per Press Association.) London, August 9. The Right Hon. R. de Keyser, Lord Mayor of London, entertained the" members of the Ministry at a banquet last night. Replying to the toast of the navy, Lord George Hamilton, referring to recent naval manoeuvres, said that they were being conducted on the old methods of warfare, and showed that the defensive tactics employed would be unreliable if a bombardment of London were imminent. Replying to the toast of the Ministry, Lord Salisbury, speaking on the Local Government Bill, said the measure would solve a difficult problem without injuring vested interests Whilst other nations were increasing their public debt and showing a corresponding decreasing credit, England was preserving her credit at Home and abroad. Speaking to more general questions, the Premier said the Government ,took credit for establishing a better order of things in Ireland, and had been instrumental in diminishing the tyranny of societies over the people. They had also increased the sanctity of contracts in that country. On the Continent tranquility prevailed, and he felt confident that the great rulers of the world desired uninterrupted peace. The conviction was stealing upon the statesmen of Europe that it was not advisable to interfere in Bulgaria at the present juncture. Referring to the accession of Emperor William to the Prussian Throne, Lord Salisbury expressed the belief that this reign would be beneficial to the people, and that he would be a credit to his English-German ancestry. Nothing in European politics could be more desirable than that the policies of Russia and Germany should become parallel, for peace between these two great Powers meant the peace of Europe also. At the Lord Mayor's banquet, Lord Salisbury, in referring to Egypt, said that affairs there were in a prosperous state despite the frontier dangers. The feeling of self-de-pendence was rapidly increasing, and England would shortly be enabled to honourably withdraw from Egypt. As regards affairs in Bulgaria, he expressed his pleasure at the increasing tendency to respect Bulgarian autonomy, v/hich Russian valour had mainly secured. He warmly eulogised the late Emperor Frederick. Aughst 10. The speech delivered by Lord Salisbury at the Lord Mayor's banquet has been" well received on the Continent. ll