AUSTRALIAN COMMON WEALTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 22

AUSTRALIAN COMMON WEALTH.

BANQUET TO THE GOVERNORGEKEKAL.

LONDON, September 28.

The Earl of Hopetoun was entertained at a banquet in Edinburgh. There was a very large attendance. The Lord Provost presided, and among&t those present were Lord Balfour of Buiieigh (Secretary for Scotland), Lord Camperdown, Professor Sir William Turner, and the Hon. Sir James Fergusson.

Lord Plopetoun, in responding to tlie toast of bis health, said that he had entire faith in the futiue of the British race. He referred to ths spirit which Australia" had shown in connection, ■with the- Soijib^ African war. Australia had participated in the struggle because an implacable f\>e had invaded British territories and our flag was in temporary danger of being trampled, in the dirb. Australia had plaj^ed her part nobly, and deserved all Britain's sympathy, and well-wishes for her happiness, prosperity, and complete success in dier great scheme of national life. Lord Hosebery, in replying, spoke upon the growth of Hie Empire. He said that Gr?ar Britain had launched Canada, farmed Ind k, and given .AuFlrdlia, her crown of. Empire. She was destined to oscupy a pi»£il ; o,i unparalleled in the history of the world. 83ie must, however, exercise an influence not of a military and aggressive character, but as a just, peaceful, comraercifil, civiii--intr. and Chiisbian Power. The ■ Times. commenting upon the speeches, remarks that no other nation was ever privileged to sanction such a grand federation of colonies into a single State, and no notion (within a reasonably dlcuable period) is in the least likely to have the opportunity or the desire to imitate the example of Great Britain.