THE PREMIERS FETED.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10956, 26 April 1907, Page 4

THE PREMIERS FETED.

COLONIAL INSTITUTE DINNER.

(Press Assn. — By Telegraph. — Copyright.) LONDON, April 25. The Colonial Lustitutc dinner to the Premiers at the Whitehall rooms wax the greatest function of tlie season. Lord Elgin presided. There were 400 guests, including Lords Halsbury, Marlborough, Norfolk, Jersey, Alverstone, Brassey, Ranfuirly, Rothschild, and Strathconu, and Sir Edward Grey, Sir H. Fowler, Sir E. Buxton, and Sir C. Sydenham Clarke. Lord Elgin's casual reference to Mr Chamberlain created immense and prolonged cheering. Sir Widfrid Laurier eulogised the granting of a constitution to their late enemies in South Africa us the continuation of a generous- policy. Mr Deakin's speech was the speech of the evening. Ho bantered Lord Elgin for his restriction of information in regard to tlie Imperial Conference. He was glad he had published Mr Handane's speech on tlie principles of defence; but why stop there? Did the Empire exist only for defence? Must there be a brain for the iirmy, a brain for the navy, and no brain for commerce? Mr Deakin, continuing, asked why, if the Empire were able to stand shoulder to slioulder for defence, it was unable also -to do so for the protection of commerce. Traders were 'exposed to subsidised foreign competition, which placed a false weight in tne scale against tnem. At least they niignt insist on "equal terms, and make Imperial citizenship a reality as well as a name. Mr Deakin's- reference to preference evoked tremendous enthusiasm. ,Sir Joseph Ward said he wa s much impressed with the work of the Conference. ; It was good that it should meet Imperially and regularly. I Mr Smart Sir Frederick Borden, Sir Robert Bond, Sir Reginald Talbot, and Lord Tweedmouth also spoke. i Lord Tweedmouth urged the need in the army and navy alike of full mobility to serve where required. 'That could _ only 'be secured by hbeity and unity — liberty ; for each part of tlie Empire to have a ' say in what was best for its defence in ■that. part to help the Empire as a whole, and. unity between all parts of the Empire in time of danger. (Received April 26, 8.35 a.m.) LONDON, April 25. Speaking at the Parliamentary banquet to the Premiers at Westminster Hall, Sir H. C./Bannerman emphasised that tlie re. ! lationship between the Motherland and the 'great oversea States. was not an alliance or a partnership, but a family relation- . ship, based on community of purpose, and i was an ideal union because all derived their life from independent representative government. ■ '• ■ » i Mr' Balfour said he was delighted witli the welcome given the representatives of the nations, who derived their highlyprized institutions from witliin a few yards from where they were now assembled. Surely if anywhere, their guests should feel at home within the venerable precincts, where their liberties were cradled, and they inherited all that their fore- . fathers had conquered for themselves in' the way of freedom of self-government. ! (Cheers.) '",'■.,; ■■■'■' J Sir Wilfrid Laurier said he was glad : that some of the members of the British j Gbvernment. had come from the daughter [nations, hecause- if differences arose their influence would always be used to promote peace. » harmony, and conciliation. He would return home more impressed 1 than ever with the desirability of Imperial unity with its base upon loyal autonomy. Mr Jame. Lowther said even if the Motherland took a grandmotherly interest m her progeny: it was due to excess of j zeal : and not to indifference.

After the luncheon, Mrs Lowther held a reception in honor of the colonial guests.