VICTORIAN OFFICE OPENED.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9409, 1 April 1909, Page 5

VICTORIAN OFFICE OPENED.

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. London, March 31.

In the presence of 150 persons, including Lords Ranfurly and Strathcona, Sir Reginald Talbot, Mr HallJones, the Agents-Generals find leading merchants, shipowners, bankers and financiers, Earl Crewe opened' the new Victorian offices. He expressed the hope that the other States of the Commonwealth would build on adjoining sites, and especially referred to the good management of the Victorian railways. Earl Crewe complimented Victoria on its great prosperity. It was impossible, he said, to allnde to the gift of a Dreadnought without feelings of. emotion and gratitude. Thb Government and the country were profoundly touched by this evidence of goodwill, sympathy and loyalty to the Empire. He was certain no sympathy could be closer than that founded cn common sympathy such as had been shown first by New Zealand and now by Australia in a noble contribution to the general defence of the Empire.

The Telegraph, in a two-oolnmn leader dealing with the opening of the Victorian Agency, suggests that the Imperial ideal is at last finding expression in London architecture.

The Commonwealth, New Zealand, and South Africa must follow with similar edifices, being as expressive of the greatest factor of modern political life as mediaeval cathedrals were. In connection with the Dreadnought incident, the Telegraph recalls the New South Wales contingent going to the Soudan.