PREMIERS IN SCOTLAND

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1926, Page 7

PREMIERS IN SCOTLAND

FREEMEN OF EDINBURGH PICTURESQUE CEREMONY DEGREE FOR HON. COATES By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received Nov. 25, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 24. Messrs. Bruce, Coates, Mackenzinc King and the Maharajah of Burdwan began their tour under the auspices of the British Empire League by travelling to Edinburgh, where they spent a most interesting day. They were first admitted to the freedom, of the city before a large assembly at Usher Hall, which was made picturesque by the presence of the kilted school cadets, magistrates and councillors in scarlet and ermine robes. By receiging the freedom, the Dominion representatives have joined an illustrous roll of burgesses, including Macaulay, Dickens, Livingstone and Kitchener. The new freemen were acclaime 1 with great enthusiasm. The visitors next lunched at the historic city chambers, where’ the guests were played in by bagpipes. They there enjoyed a meal in nowise imitating London’s Continental menus, but characteristic of Scottish fare, including turkey, plum pudding, and also a haggis brought in with due ceremony. The gathering dispersed with the singing of "Will ye no come back again?’’ The next ceremony was the conferment of the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws upon Mr. Coates, the Maharajah of Burdwan and Mr. Monroe. The ' Dean of Faculty of Laws, presenting Mr. Coates, referred to him as one who, like Cincinnatus. left his farm with his fine physique and sane outlook to serve his country first in war and later in peace. The Prime Ministers subsequently took tea with the University Union, which gave Messrs. Bruce, Coates and the Maharajah of Burdwan chances of ••hatting with students from their respective countries. The Dominion representatives were the guests during the evening at an informal dinner given by Mr. William Whitelaw, the chairman of the London and North-Eastern Railway, after which they attended a Victoria League reception at Lady Findlay’s house. The speeches of the Premiers at the civic reception paid a tribute to Scotsmen’s prominence as Empire builders, and sounded a strong note of optimism in connection with the work accomplished at the Imperial Conference. Mr. Coates, after detailing the important part Scotsmen had played in the development of New Zealand, said that the recent Conference had produced the most valuable results so far as partnership within the Empire was concerned. It might not have achieved anything'materially new, but it had definitely set the seal on the progress of Imperial relationship which had come about naturally by evolution to the present relationship. As the result of the Conference, the necessity of retaining closer touch with tlie Dominions would devolve upon British ’statesmen. New Zealand herself intended immediately to take steps to improve the contact between Wellington and London by providing more direct personal communication. It was hoped, also, to arrange a system for the interchange of views on the outlook with the sister Dominions.

The vice-chancellor of the I Diversity referred to Edinburgh as the “University of Great Britain.* 5 It had turned loose upon the sick world 16,000 qualified medical practitioners, nearly 5000 of whom were in the Dominions. Soon, however, there would be no need for Greater Britain's sons to cerine to Edinburgh, except for a post-graduate course, as the Dominion universities were attaining such high efficiency.