THE COLONIAL OFFICE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 116, 22 June 1914, Page 10

THE COLONIAL OFFICE.

' §IR HARTMANN JUST. VISIT TO CHSISTCHTTRCH. A CIVIC RECEPTION. An interesting visitor to the Dominion just now is Sir Hartmann Wolfgang Just, C.8., C.M.G., Assistant Under-Secretary to the Colonial Office. Sir Hartmann Just arrived in Christchureli on Saturday, and was tendered a civic welcome by the Mayor at 11.30 a.m. to-day. The visitor is accompanied by Mr J. Hislop, Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, who is his guide, philosopher, and friend on his journeyings through this overseas Dominion. THE MAYOR'S WELCOME.

In the City Council Chamber there ■was a small' gathering of ladies and gentlemen, who gave a .heiarty welcome to Sir Hartmann. The Mayor said that their visitor occupied a prominent position in a State Department which J*rought. into close touch the Old Country and the Overseas Dominions. Sir Hartmann Just's visit did not indicate any disturbance or trouble with the Overseas Dominions, as the relations between this country and the Imperial Government were of the most cordial nature. He felt sure that the citizens would not-like to miss the opportunity of welcoming their visitor to Christchurch. Sir Hartmann was in the able hands of Mr Hislop, who no doubt had given him more information than he was likely to get at gathering of thi« kind. Among those present he was glad to see representatives of the Oveasea Club and the Victoria League. Sir Hartmann Just had been used to seeing the millions in the Old Country, and perhaps it had struck him that New Zealand • was sparsely populated. Our buildings would not bear comparison .with those of the Old Country, which were distinguished by the qualities of solidity and permanency. New Zealand, however, was going in for a building campaign, and was working on very solid lines now. Their pioneers had come here with no assets but character, grit, and determination. Their foresight, . however, was one quality which could be quoted to their lasting credit, and the present generation owed miich to them. He cordially welcomed Sir Hartmann Just to Christchurchi and New Zealand. •Mr E. G. -Staveley, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said that he was very pleased to have the opportunity of

joining in the welcome to Sir Hartmann Just. Nothing but good could come visits to the Dominion by gentlemen . bo distinguished as their guest. If longer notice could have been , given of , • the ci.yic reception there .;would have been a larger attendance of commercial men. ~ ; . : ■ . ' ' IMPERIAL QUESTIONS. ' Mr W. H. Triggfc 1 sßid } a privilege to join in the #elcoine; Sir Bartihahn was on. the staff of the Colonial Office, which was an adviser to l - the' British Government in everything that referred to the Dominions. He had taken a prominent part in Imperial conferences, and he would take a prominent, part in the one which would prob.ably be held next , year, at which the r question of naval defence would be considered. . . . TIE OF KINSHIP. ; Mr H. G. Ell, M.P., said it was always a matter of deep satisfaction to v the people of New Zealand to receive a representative of the British Governments - New Zealand was noted for its loyalty, and was proud to belong to the British race. There yvould. always bo the tie of kinship between the Overseas

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Dominions and the Home Country, and such .visits .would always strengthen that tie. He trusted that during his visit Sir Hartmann would gain both instruction and impressions .which would assist the Colonial Office in'the work which it performed. THE VISITOR'S REPLY. Sir Hartmann Just was brief, cordial, but entirely non-committal in his reply.

He said that he had much pleasure in mcoeding to the kind that he *-j| : i«Would some of the representative i citizens of ■Ohristchurch. His object, in. Ms visit, was to make himself acquainted with the institutions and condition of the people of the Oversea Dotninions.Everywliere he had found the British atmosphere, and the people and their surroundings in life were on the same model as those at Home. One felt per- - fectly at Home amongst them. He had unable to accept formal invitations to various functions, and he had had to decline a special invitation from the Victoria League. The Victoria League and Overseas Club were bodies which did excellent work in welcoming the visitors to their shored. He had had the pleasure of meeting some of their members in Australia. Their work ■was of incalculable advantage to visitors and Mr Triggs had touehed on a few things which he.regretted lie could not refer to, as he was not the chief or sole adviser to the Secretary of State in regard to Dominion matters. .He could assure them that relationship between New Zealand and the Mother Country was cordial, and that cordiality would be increased as visits between them multiplied, as personal association always strengthened the ties of friendship. The note of personality carried most power with it. He had enjoyed his visit to this country, whose beauty •was so much'admired, even though its winter climate seemed to be so strongly reminiscent of Home. He again thanked them for their most courteous reception.

Sir Hartmann Just leaves for Wei Mngton this evening. .

SEEING THE CITY.

To-day Sir Hartmanti Just'paid a visit to several institutions of local _in•fterest, including the Museum,' Christ's College, and the Boys'" High School.

At the Boys' High School Sir Hartmann renewed acquaintance with Mr 0. E. Bevan Brown, the headmaster. Sir Hartmann and Mr Bevan Brown were school fellows at the Bristol Grammar School, and were in the Sixth Form together in 186-I—forty years ago. It was no doubt a sincere pleasure to each of them to meet again, after the lapse of nearly half a century after their schoolboy days.

One of the first calls Sir Hartmann Just made on his arrival in the city was on Mr Jas. Jamieson, whom he remembered meeting in England during Mr Jamieson's visit to the Home Country last year. Mr Jamieson accompanied Sir Hartmann to the Museum and other places of interest this morning.