THE COLONIAL PREMIERS AT HOME.

Otago Witness, Issue 2263, 15 July 1897, Page 19

THE COLONIAL PREMIERS AT HOME.

RECEPTION BY EMPIRE TRADE LEAGUE. CONFERENCE WITH THE COLONIAL OFFICE. London, July 5. A meeting of the Premiers resolved to support Sir Wilfrid Laurier (Canada) in demanding that the British Government should renounce the Belgian and German j treaties. This decision was unanimous. It is unlikely, however, that Mr Chamberlain will agree to renounce the treaties. He will| in all probability adhere to the despatch' which Lord Ripon, when Secretary of State j for the Colonies, sent to the Colonial Con-t ference at Ottawa. Earl Jersey entertained the Premiers at his country seat at Oaterley Park. They, with many notable people, were present at Mr Beerbohm Tree's reception on the stage of her Majesty's Theatre. Sir Saul Samuel (Agent-general for New South Wales) held a reception for colonial Premiers. Sir Andrew Clark (Agent- general for Victoria) also gave a garden party at the Kew Botanical Gardens. Large numbers of leading colonials attended both functions. A deputation comprising members of the Australasian Chamber of Mines in London waited on the Premiers and asked that the mining laws of the colonies be altered in the direction of giving better tenure to mining leases and a reasonable relaxation of the labour conditions. Mr G. H. Raid and Sir John Forrest were not present. The Premiers- promised that every encouragement should be given to bona fidt mining. Mr O. C. Kingston (South Australia) expressed the opinion that the workingcapital of companies floated in England to work mines in the colonies ought to bear a larger proportion to the share capital than at present, as one of the factors in unsuccesgfulness of Anglo-Australian companies was the heavy capital with which companies were saddled, on which it was expeoted they would pay interest.

The deputation afterwards waited upon Mi Byrneß, Attorney-general of Queensland, and urged on him the necessity of liberalising the mining laws of that colony. Mr Byrnes admitted that the laws were rather antiquated, and that it wonld be wise to liberalise them co as to encourage the investment of capital. July 6. Messrs Seddon, Held, and Kingston are urging that the Royal assent should be giren to the Aliens Immigration Restriction Bills of the various colonies. They meet Mi Chamberlain on Thursday to dieouss the question. The Duke of Devonshire presided at a meeting of the British Empire Trade League held for the purpose of receiving the Premiers. | Mr Seddon said the subjeots which had , been discussed between the Colonial Office i and the colonial Premiers were nearer fruition than was generally believed. The time had arrived to consider whether a ■ regular conference of representatives of the colonies and the Empire was necessary. Mr G. H. Eeid (New South Wales) expressed himself opposed to federal ties linking the Empire, because the Empire would remain great without suoh ties. The largest, broadest, and most powerful ties were those living in the hearts of the people. They required no official sanction, no political instruction. Sir E. N. Braddon (Tasmania) said that the present relations had served until now, when the colonies were more loyal than they were five or 10 years ago ; but they must either separate or remain a united Empire under conditions different to the present. He would be bitterly disappointed if the conference proved fruitless to bring forward some measure binding the colonies and the rest of the Empire closer. Sir George Turner, in the course of an interview, said he was not prepared in the present hard condition of Victorian finances to contribute more to the British navy. Mr Reid visited the Houses of Lords and Commons, and was received with distinction by both Houses. Sir G-. Turner, in an interview with Renter's representative, said that Victoria was opposed to Freetrade if it merely promoted better relations with the motherland. That colony could not afford to relinquish her customs duties, because of the loss which would result to revenue, nor were the industries of the colony sufficiently established to abandon her policy of Protection. Sir George further said that the Victorians were prepared to increase the J duties on foreign goods, but would expect , something in return. In the course of j another interview he explained that Viotoria would maintain the present tariff as far as the British were concerned, but would increase it to foreigners if Great Britain subsidises steamship companies no as to enable the companies to reduce their freight. Sir H. M. Nelson, in the course of an interview with a representative /of Reuter's, said that Queensland did not object to differ- | entiate her tariff in favour of Great Britain. The colony was tending towards freer trade , as the revenue increased, and was willing to join in a federal defence scheme with some modifications. He favoured the extension of the naval agreement. Referring to the sugar industry, he said that unless Great Britain gave a preference to the colonial industry it could not expand in Queensland. Sir Wilfrid Laurier addressed the members of the Colonial party in the House of Commons. He said it was time that the colonies were represented in a National Council or Federal Parliament on something resembling the American plan, where territories were represented and had the right of {speaking and advising, but not of voting until they became States. Thiß would be the stepping stone to Imperial federation. S The Benchers of Lincoln's Inn banqueted the Premiers. Chief Justice Way and the Attorney-general of Queensland were also present. , The colonial Premier*, Agents-general, and officers of the colonial forces attended a ball , at the Guildhall, the guests at which numI bered 5000. ' The Queen has conferred a silver Jubilee medal upon each of the colonial Premiers. July 7. Mr Seddon intends to visit Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, and will sail for New Zealand on July 21. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Mr Seddon, Mr Reid, and Sir Hugh Nelson are co-operating in urging the claims of the Pacific cable upon the Imperial authorities, and they are hopeful of bringing their negotiations to a successful issue. If they find it necessary to do so they will proceed independently in the matter. In his recent negotiations with Mr James Huddart in connection with the CanadianAustralian mail service Mr Seddon demanded that the duration of the voyage should be shortened by several days. Mr Huddart has now offered an increase to a 14-knot service if the subsidy is increased. Mr Seddon oonsults the Cabinet with reference to the offer. The conference between the Premiers and the leading officials of the Colonial Office was resumed to-day. The treaty entered into between Great Britain and Japan was

under discussion. With the exception ol Queensland all the colonieß declined to adoptf the treaty. Sir John Forrest leaves for West Australia on the 23rd July. July 9. Mr Goschen, who attended the final conference with the Premiers, declared that it was quite a misapprehension to suppose that the Admiralty wanted more money from Australia. He was quite satisfied with a renewal of the auxiliary agreement, because a great principle was involved. He was not disposed to insist on the admiral on the Australian station having a free hand to send the auxiliary vessels anywhere in war time, although it would be a great help if suoh a course was followed. He strongly praised the patriotism of Australia. The Premiere, in reply, agreed to continue the existing arrangement. Mr Goschen announced the intention of the Admiralty to send a first-class oruiser as the flagship in the Australian waters. Sir George Tnrner expects that a similar conference to the present Premiers' Conference., will be held every three years. Speaking at a banquet given by the Fishmongers' Association, Mr G. H. Beid (Premier of New South Wales) said that he admired the magnificent patriotism and loyalty inspiring Canada in relaxing her tariff in favour of Great Britain, but it was time the Britishers recognised that, unless the tariff were made freer in England when Australia federated, Canada would have to take a seat a little below. He (Mr Reid) was confident that there waß a still brighter future before the wonderful galaxy of nations constituting the Empire. The Premiers were banqueted by the Oordwainers' Company. Tha Duke of Devonshire, who was amongst the guests, said that the presence of the colonial troops was a revelation hitherto unrecognised in connection with the Imperial forces. Mr Chamberlain said that the dominant note of the Jubilee celebrations was the supreme obligation on Great Britain of maintaining the j unity of the Empire. It was to the interest I of our colonies,* as well as of the mother country, to strengthen the ties binding the > Empire. The federation of Australia and o£ the South African States would be the fireS step towards the federation of the Empire. j Tke colonies must decide when they desired ; to share Imperial privileges and responsibilities. The Fabian Society entertained Mr Seddon at luncheon. Mr Saddon, in replying to tho toast of his health, claimed that New Zealand's progressive legislation bad increased the wealth and tended to the contentment and industrial prosperity of the colony. July 10. The colonial Premiers were entertained afc a banquet by the Chamber of Commeros. Two'hundred and fifty guests were present. Sir John Forrest, in proposing the toast o£ "The Defensive Forces," said that if the colonists wanted a voica in tbo coHtrol of the destinies of tbe Empire they must bear their share of the responsibilities. Mr Reid stated Sir John Forrest's view did not represent the sentiment ot Australians when he said they were anxioua to join in a partnership to be oalled " Imperial Fedaration." The term was a beautiful one — like Mesopotamia, — but Australians were accustomed to manage their own affairs, and were not likely to become a joint in tha Imperial tail. They gloried in their oquality with the English people, and any attempt to bring them back to an insignificant position and make them an indefinite and minor quantity in the Umpire would never succeed. Commercial ties really bound the colonies and the mother land. He urged them to abandon the idea of meeting foreign competition by fiscal strategy. The moment they erected a barricade England and her commercial supremacy would be destroyed. Sir E. N. O. Braddon said he had always favoured Imperial federation with representation in tbe British Parliament. He did not agree with Mr Reid's speeoh which was pitched in a minor key. He believed the colonies would take a higher view and effect; the closest possible nnion. Mr SBddon joined issue with Mr Reid and endorsed the remarks o£ Sir John Forrest and Sir Edward Braddon. The guests at the Chamber of Commerce included Lord Jersey, the Agents-general, and representatives of the colonial chambers of commerce. Sir Albert K. Rollitt (president of the chamber) presided. In bis speech Mr Reid said that commerce enabled the Empire to maintain the world's supremacy, and all that Australians desired to give, whatever their fiscal views might be, was a preference to those living under the same flag. Englishmen did not need to be anxious for closer tics. Sometimes the greater number of ties there were the more irksome they became. Neither Governor, Throne, nor high institutions were bound like companies, but by the same blood, the same history, the same traditions, and the same future. Sir E. N. C. Braddon said that Tasmania wonld go in for Freetrade to-morrow if ifc could afford it. In future the ties must draw closer or the colonies would drift asunder. July 11. The oolonlal Premiere, bishops* Agent*;

general, judges, and military officers were present yesterday at a garden party given by the Baroness Burdett-Coutt?. They also attended a ball given by the British Empire League at the Hotel Cecil in the evening. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Mr Seddon, and Mr Reid visited Eaton Hall, the seat of the Dake of' Westminster, at Chester, and Hawarden Castle, at Hawarden, where they had tea with Mr and Mrs Gladstone. Baron Ferdinand Rothschild entertained the other Premiers at Waddeson, his seat at Aylesbury. Sir George and Lady Turner have embarked Dn. their return to Victoria. • At the Chamber of Commerce banquet Mr R. J. Alcock (president of the Melbourne Dnamber of Commerce), in replying to the toast of " Commerce," said that any scheme ot Imperial unity would be gladly welcomed.