COLONIAL INSTITUTE DINNER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8797, 26 April 1907, Page 2

COLONIAL INSTITUTE DINNER.

Press Association.— Copyright. London, 'April 25.

The Colonial Institute dinner to the Premiers in Whitehall' rooms was the greatest function of the season. Lord Elgin presided, and the 400 guests included Lords Halsbury, the Duke of Marlborough, Duke of Norfolk, Lords Jersey, Alverstone, Brassey, Kanfurly, Bothschild, and Stratheona, and Sirs Edward Grey, Fowoll Buxton, and Sydenham Clarke. Lord Elgin's casual reference to Mr Chamberlain evoked immense and prolonged cheering. Sir Wilfrid Laurier eulogised the granting of a Constitution to our late enemies in South Africa as a continuation of a generous policy. Mr Deakin's was the speech of the evening. He bantered Lord Elgin for restriction ] of information as regards the Imperial Conference. He was glad that he published Mr Haldane's speech on the principles of defence, but why'stop there? Did the Empire exist ouly for defence? Must there be brain for the army, brain ! for the navy, and no brain for commerce ? i He asked why, if the Empire was able to | stand shoulder to shoulder for defence it was unable to do so for the protection of ! commerce ? Traders were exposed to subj sidised foreign competition which placed a false weight in the scale against us. At . least we might 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 was much impressed with the work of the Conference. It was a good thing to meet Imperially regularly. Lord Tweedmouth urged the need of army and navy alike having full mobility to serve where they were required, and that could only be secured by liberty and unity —liberty.of,each part of the Empire to have a say as to 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.