PARLIAMENTARY TOUR

Otago Witness, Issue 3105, 17 September 1913, Page 29

PARLIAMENTARY TOUR

BRISBANE, September 10,

The Empire parliamentary party is crowding as much as possible into its Queensland visit, every minute of time being absorbed by the programme. Yesterday the members visited Ipswich and Toowoomba.

September 11

The parliamentary visitors were greatly impressed on their northern trip, and they are eulogistic in regard to the berfuties and potentialities of Australia generally. A special sitting of the Supreme Court was held for the purpose of admitting as barristers those members of the party who are barristers in the United Kingdom.

There was a large gathering of legal talent at the Supreme Court to witness the admission of the legal members of- the party to the New South Wales Bar, and the ceremony was-Amposing. Subsequently the whole party were the guests of the Chamber of Commerce at lunch. The President of the chamber declared that the visit would help towards a greater mutual understanding and sympathy, without which nothing in the Empire ideal could be achieved. Sir Joseph Walton, in replying, said the visitors had viewed with pride and admiration the development already achieved in Australia. He congratulated the Empire on what Australia had done. Sir E. Hildred Carlile similarly praised Australia. He said that if the visit had taught them anything it was that the security on the loans made was in every sense satisfactory. He asked them to encourage British manufacturers to send what Australia wanted.

September 12.

The Empire parliamentary party has eplit in two divisions. One division has gone to Melbourne, whence it will pay a short visit to Tasmania. The other divi-' sion left by special train for Canberra. The irrigation works at Barrinjuck and Yanco will also be visited by this division. Lord Ernmott devoted part of his speech at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon to th'b subject of immigration. “ If,” tie said, “ the Empire is to remain a great and united Empire the heart of the Empire must bo sound. And it does not look sound if Great Britain’s population is decreasing while the population of Germany and other countries is increasing. Therefore, while I am desirous that every emigrant from the United Kingdom should go to these dominions or to other parts of the Empire, I would look with great" anxiety on a condition of affairs which would lead to a decrease of the population of the United Kingdom, because then everybody would say that the days of the British Empire —or, at any rate, of the heart of the Empire—are numbered.” Admiral Sir G. King-Hall, responding to the toast of ‘‘The Empire,” said : ‘‘l am a staunch supporter of the Commonwealth naval policy. It is the only practical thing. It was that or nothing. It is a great fallacy to suppose that the initiation of the Australian navy will weaken, and in time dissolve, the connection between Great Britain and one of her most vigorous daughters. That is not so. It will have the reverse effect if the Empire rulers display only ordinary wisdom and commonsense. It is inconceivable that the Australian navy, which is a division of the Imperial fleet, would lie in their ports or only cruise round the coasts of Australia if the Empire were at war —as some foolish writers have remarked. Where the danger is, there will be found the Australian navy, flying the same white ensign as was flown by Nelson’s ships, and manned by the same breed that won that victory. ’’ (Cheers.) MELBOURNE, September 13.

The southern division of the Empire parliamentary party were most enthusiastically welcomed on their arrival from Sydney. The crowd which assembled at the railway station proved much larger than liad been expected. When the train pulled up the police had to push back a number of people to provide room for Lord Sheffield to alight. Even then the throng was so dense that the Lord Mayor of Melbourne was almost crushed against him while in

the act of presenting an address from th< Overseas Club. The party subsequently embarked fof Tasmania. ■ ' - _ „ September 15." A reception was held in the Town HaH to-day in honour of the visiting parlia mentary party. ■ There was a representative assemblage including Mr Cook, Mr Fisher, Mr Wat| and Lord Richard Neville. Great a thusiasm marked the proceedings.