COLONIALS AT HOME

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7954, 6 July 1897, Page 2

COLONIALS AT HOME

PRESENTATION OF MEDALS. London, July 5. The medals presented to the colonial troops by the Prince of Wales consisted of silver medals for the officers and bronze for the men. Several Victorian, New South Wales, and South Australian unattached ollicei's also received medals. The Dukes and Duchesses of Saxe-Coburg, York, Connaught, and Cambridge, and Lord Wolsolcy were present at the ceremony. Lord Roberts was in command of the colonials, and as each detachment approached the Prince of Wales the oiiicer commanding called out the names. A number of otlicers and men from the different colonial contingents were presented to the Queen, ■;■ ' ; ''i <■' Lieut. -Colonel Pitt, Lieutenant '.iai.uii'.^i Kangi, Lieutenant Pringle, Sergeant Slinnn, and Private Te Puui. In the course of his speech at the Colonial Institute dinner, the Duke of Connaught said he was pleased to have the command of the colonial forces. If all the colonial troops were of the same standard the colonies had reason to be proud of them. Ho was certain the colonial troops would return home feeling at one with the British army, all the ranks of which had been proud to welcome them. At the Liberal Club luncheon on Saturday Sir George Turner, in reply to the toast of the " British Parliament," urged that England should adopt some of the Australian advanced legislation. Lord Rosebery said that unless the record reign celebrations were soon brought to a close it would be necessary to give the dyspeptic colonial Premiers state funerals at Westminster Abbey. The time, he said, was past for using the word "colonies." He preferred the term " Umpire." Mr Seddon, referring to Mr Gosehen's remarks at the Hotel Cecil banquet in regard to Australasian contributions to the navy, said the loyally of the colonies was not measured by contributions to specific objects, but by the righting supremacy of the race. New Zealand was uncomplainingly paying interest on eleven millions spent in holding the colony for England. The Premiers were to-day banqueted at Trinity House. The Prince of Wales was amongst the speakers. He said the recent naval review at Spithoad had doubtless convinced the Premiers that the Empire was resting on a safe basis. The Duke of S.ixe-Colmrg eulogised) the smartness, discipline, and etlicieney of the colonial troops as displayed in the Jubilee celebrations. A meeting of. the Premiers has been held at which they discussed and unanimously decided to oppose the proposal that the Admiral on the Australian station should be free to send the ships of the Australian auxiliary squadron anywhere in time of war. They insisted that there should be limited powers in regard to utilising the squadron, otherwise the inter-colonial steamers would bo placed at the mercy of the enemy. A concert was given at Chelsea barracks in honor of the colonial troops. The singers included Albani and Crossley. The Queen, at Sir George Turner's request, has accepted a tame kangaroo taken to Kngland by the Victorian troops. At the Trinity House banquet Lord Roberts said the presence of the colonial contingents must have convinced everybody of the stability of the Empire. Lord Salisbury said the Jubilee year would be memorable for the laying of a deep broad foundation of Imperial policy for future Premiers. The meeting of the Premiers resolved to support Mr Laurier in demanding that the British Government should denounce the Belgium and German treaties. This decision was unanimous. It is unlikely, however, that the Hon. Air Chamberlain will agree to denounce the treaties. He will, in all probability, adhere lo the despatch of Lord Ripon, when Secretary of State to the Colonies, in reference to "the colonial conference at Ottawa. The Karl of Jersey entertained the Premiers at his country seat, Ostcrlcy Park. They, with many notable people, were also present at Mr Hccrbobin Tree's stage reception at Her Majesty's Theatre. Sir Saul Samuel held a reception for the colonial Premiers. Sir Andrew Clark also gave a garden party at the Botanical Gardens. A large number of leading colonials attended both functions.