THE COMMONWEALTH.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3460, 3 January 1901, Page 2

THE COMMONWEALTH.

United Press Association—Per ELotric Telegraph—Copyright. Received 8.58 a.m., January Ist. SYDNKY, January 1. A great State banquet was held in the Town Hall to-night. It was a brilliant function. The Lieutenant-Governor presided, and Mr Seddon occupied a seat with the other Premiers. The New Zealanders present included Sir R. Stout, Mr Carroll, Mr Witheford, Mr Praser, Mr Allen, Mr Maguire, Mr O'Meara, Major Steward, Mr Collins, Major Harris, MiField, Judge Edwards, Colonel Penton, Mr Fowlds, and Mr Napier.' Lord Hopetoun wrote regretting that owing to being tired out with the day's work he was unable to be present. He said he greatly appreciated the kindness and sympathy extended to himself and to

—m^— mmtm —■———— m*e ,' Lady Hopetoun since their arrival, and ; . wus deeply impressed by his magnificent reception of that day, by bo orderly and so good-tempered a people. There could , be no doubt that such a people would advance. He wished them prosperity and happiness. Mr Barton, replying to the toast of the Commonwealth," Mid few "ities outside London could have given such a magnificent demonstration as that of to-day. The people were to be complimented on the order maintained. He reviewed the progress of the Federal movement, arid concluded by proposing the toast of SirHenry Parkes, the father of Federation.. This was drunk in silence. Responding to the toast of "The Visitors," Mr Seddon, who was accorded a very hearty reception, said ho wished that-, • the toast of those who had come from all parts of the world to honour United Australia had been placed in abler hands. Ae the Queen's Jubilee in London he had witnessed poverty. Thank goodness none of that had been witnessed in Sydney, and in. that .respect an example had been show* the Mother Country. Speaking for the visitors he expressed the hope that they would soon hear that Lady Hopetoun g. health had been fully restored. Speakingfor New Zealand, he wished to say that although up to the present that colony hod not seen its way to become united with Australia, still there was a friendly feeling, and he wished United Australia all success. Anything that the colony could* do to help Australia would be a service cheerfully rendered. There were obligations which no Constitution that would be 1 framed would meet. The pageantry that day showed that the.people of Australia ■• were with New Zealand T»ear,t and soul, and New Zealand must be heart and mnVwith Australia. Mr Seddon, continuing, i said that should occasion arise New i Zealand would give its heart's blood' I for the defence of Australia, as it had done an South Africa, and he was confident that «f New Zealand became embroiled in difficulties Australia would stand shoulder to> shoulder with the people he tiad the honour to be Premier of. There had been present in that day's procession Maoris 1 and the Native Minister.' . lAps»'i»e.l 1 TheVMaori race were duly represented, ma ' as they, went* through the. pageantry thewords "Welcome 0 ' were shouted fnom those who had in the past been New Zealanilorfl.. To Australia their words were, " Aroba, aroha, aroha! ake, ake, ake!" <! oye,. love, -love"! for ever, for ever; niul for ever." (Loud applause.) As one whc> came to Australia thirty-five years ago, he could saythat while' New Zealand had? <- precedence in his thoughts he never forgot > the people that first gave him a start in' - life. Australia had now one people, one tt ' destiny, whose aim should be to improve' : the existing condition of things. MrSedd don concluded an eloquent speech by ex- » pressing good wishes to Australia. |" Mb Foster, of the Cape of Good Hope, * tendered congratulations to the ttew nation. '• ■ Mr Moore, of Natal, said he brought a message that prosperity might crown the Q historical event now celebrated. He had * also been commissioned to deliver a mes- « sage of heartfelt gratitude for the ser- *.' vices rendered in South Africa in the hour I- of need. it ;.' The inauguration of the Commonwealth >r .was celebrated in the. other capitals and * "jsil- the i- a salute.. was. fired, and. the city was >. 'decorated. At Hobart Chief Justioe Dodd «' was sworn in as Administrator. At Brisbane Lord Lamington was sworn in as State Governor, the proceedings being marked'with much enthusiasm. At Adelaide Lord Tennyson was sworn in as State Governor. > g Received 10.1 x a.m., January 2nd. is It would be difficult to say where the most cordial reception was given in yesteri- day's pageant. There was a- bubbling fervour all the time. The Indian troops, •s the Mounted Guards Brigade and the Highy landers were apparently the favourites. Mr ' Reid had .a most enthusiastic reception;' but the welcome to the .Governor-General surpassed all, and was uproarious. Hats and handkerchiefs were waved, and the air was filled with cheers. The popularity, which the New Zealanders gained during their stay in Sydney made them special objects ). of attention. Approximately 10,300' troops ,t were present, and it is estimated that i ;> 300,000 people witnessed the swearing-in. h Nearly three-quarters of a million viewed '. the procession. One thousand guests were e present at the banquet. • t . Mr Seddon told u. " Daily Telegraph" t representative that yesterday's display surpassed all celebrations he had seen in numt. bers and decorations, arid fully equalled |. them in enthusiasm. Of course, it could I not be expected to surpass the Jubilee ■ celebrations in London, but it certainly j came next Going through the. streets he was greatly impressed nt the good feeling shown towards the New Zealanders. To-day was proclaimed an off day. The ! Scotchmen having given up New Year's ' Day in favour of the inaugurating ceremonies, held high festival at the Cricket Ground, which was crowded to witness the ,_ Highland sports. The scene was animated. ■[ The colours of the many military contin- " gents mixing with the throng heightened . the effects. The-Southland pipers excited ■ much applause by their fine playing. The t Governor-General visited the ground during a the afternoon, every soldier standing to salute when the Governor appeared. ! Many e leading citizens attended the luncheon. The 0 usual toast was drunk with Scotch enthun siasm. The speeches were of the briefest character. Sir W. Lyne replied to the . toast of the Commonwealth, and apologised L . for the absence of the Federal Premier. y A fine display by the fire brigades was g held in Prince Alfred Park. After a pro--0 cession in the main street the brigade pro- . ceeded to demonstrate the difference bef tween the fire appliances of to-day and i those of a century ago. Ancient fire engines were worked by equally ancient firemen, who gave a. fine picture of the early uniforms of the eighteenth century. An r engine named the "Niagara" put up a fine ,• stream of water for so insignificant a piece ' of machinery. Side by sire was the work > of the most modern steam fire engine Sydney possesses. The display was his- . toricaily interesting. The weather was very fine but warm. 1 Lord Hopetoun has despatched ' messages to Mr . Chamberlain in reply to those from, the Queen 1 and the Imperial Government on behalf of .himself and Ministers., of the Commonwealth. The messages express the deep gratitude of Her Mnjejsty's subjects throughout Australia for the Queen's gracious message. They heartily join Her /Majesty in the hope that Divine providence may grant an increase of prosperity andl well being to the devoted subjects of this now nation ' with the Empire, ami that it is the earnest desire of these sul>> jects that Her noble and' gracious Majesty may be spared to watch over and encourage the development of the Empire in " peace, mutualtrust and love. A second message says:—"At the request of my Ministers I desire to express their gratification at the way which the message from the Queen was everywhere received. They do believe that by federation the communities which have divided the task of the .responsibilities and settlements of Australia and Tasmania-, a further Btep taken towards a permanent Empire ; they also wish to express their confidence that no desire or ability on the part of the State to render services to the Queen or Empire will be diminished, but that on the' contrary, both will be enhanced by the union of the forces and resources of the Commonwealth." Two other messages describe the sharing of the attendant enthusiasm, Lord Hopetounstating that the plaudits of the people testified their high appreciation of the Queen's choice in himself, and her action in sending the Imperial troops to grace the' ceremony. The city to-night is magnificent. Mi the illuminations oro in full swing and better working order than last night. Dense throngs promonnde the main thoroughfares. Electricity is chiefly employed, and at a given moment *a few switches convert a darkening city into *. picture sparkling with magnificence. The?, conversazione nt the Town HaU «•»» u brilliant and crowded asseembtuge. Twe thousand guests attended. The military, too, had a gay gathering at the barracks. The Domain, together with the various parks, was transferred into a fairy land. At intervals bands played popular airs. The Highlanders wound up the festivitiesof the day by a conceert such as is 'dear , to the Scottish heart. Amidst all this rejoicing there was one pathetic note in- k honouring the memory of the man who did. M

so much to brag about the rejoicings of toe haar, Sir Henry Farkes. The veteran sleeps in seclusion in the cemetery at Fanlconbridge; and while yesterday's events were in progress bis grave was covered with many beautiful wreaths. Xord-Hopetonn entertained the high official guests at a dinner and,, honour was shown to New Zealand by placing Mr Seddon next to the Federal Premier. The people entered into the spirit of yesterday's event with splendid appreciation of the,character of the day and the Significance of the ceremony. All predictions of heated men and angry women fighting for positions and crushing into" seats to the inconvenience and danger of others, of" school children massacred by surging, violent and uncontrollable mobs, -were hopelessly falsified. .It would be difficult to say where the most cordial reception was given. The Southland pipers, who came with the New Zealanders, raised - enthusiasm to a high pitch. In the course of an interview Mr Seddon said that they in that- colony had not the slightest impression of the depth of: good feeling among Australians for the fieople of New Zealand. "As we went along we beard 'Here comes New Zealand,' ' Good old Dick!' Tenakoe and kia ora. It-was most amusing." Colonel Wyndham said that he brought messages for Australian soldiers: that they were respected in every garrison in England, for they were brothers in arms, who by suffering and death had won "their right" to fight side by side with those of the .Motherland. It was hoped in England -that Australian representatives "would be - sent Home toiobtam the latest ideas con- - cerning drill, tactics, and staff .duties,.'and-" that with the soldiers of the Empire so consolidated, the nation would be able to'

checkmate any Power which crossed its path when engaged in a righteous cause. .That was the message he had come half across the world to' deliver. In conclusion, 'he. said: "The Army salutes the" Commonwealth, and wishes you all prosperity and happiness." - ■". The Governor-General received congratulatory -messages from Tasmania, Mr JWard, of ; the New Zealand Government, and the colonists of NataL - LieutenantGeneral Gaselee. cabled good wishes from the China Field Force to Australia, which ao opportunely assisted with valuable Contingents. There were messages, also from Sir - Henry Berkeley, Chief Justice of Fiji, from Australians at Salisbury in Rhodesia, from the Norwegian Premier, from the Administrator of the Netherlands, from .India. The Australian Society: at New, York wiredv—" We felicitate yon and the natioa t«JdaT." There was a message also from the American Consnl-General at Melboume. '■ -■•> ■-■.-■_!

Two accidents attended the procession. ' Whße entering the Centennial Park, the borse oi * mounted trooper became unmanageable. In its attempt to avoid the icrowd-it bounded into the &7 and landed on the cheat of Inspector Bremner, a wenknown police officer, severely injuring bis spine. Inspector Bremner < succumbed during the night. The trooper was unhorsed, and two others were knocked Sown and slightly injured. Constable Sharpies,-'of Bathnrst, was swept from a -tram m Oxford street, urn-.his'skull was

fractured. j» « .-*_.__ " ~~ -' " x celebrated in the,"other, capitals and n \dl .country /towns. - InMelbourne ,a salute of 101 ~ gni was fired. The city was decorated iritfa. flags, but there were no public functions. The weather was fine till the Afternoon, when it rained.

Received 8.34 a.m., January 2nd. LONDON", January 1. The " Times," commenting on the! Commonwealth celebrations, says:—" Britain will be able to face any fiery ordeal in the future hopefully, enjoying the great advantage that our race is not confined to the British Lues." The "Times" fetkitates the birth of a great federated State w the Pacific.

The "Times'* says that the note of loyalty and love,to the. sovereign and the motherland as pronounced in Sydney is a notable triumph in the larger freedom or hope of a great future and destiny. The "Daily News" expresses the hope that the Australians will develope a noble type of life, and a lofty standard of public duty. All the papers are .sympathetic and predict a splendid future for the Commonwealth . " -Becerred 12.34 a-m., January 3rd.' AH the Australian Agency-Generals were. lavishly decorated in honour, of the Commonwealth. * The- "Dairy Telegraph" says that Commonwealth is a great stride in-'the direction of Imperial Federation. The Australian flag .was hoisted at the JMamrion House at 2 o'clock on Monday afternoon, as an indication that the century.had begun, and the Australian Commonwealth inaugurated. The bells of BowChurch rang peals.' The New South "Wales Agency-General was decorated. Midnight services were held in Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral, and in most, of the other cathedrals,, churches v antL chapels. A-dense crowd gathered xoundJSt. Paul's- at-midnight .and sang "Auld" Lang Syne." There" were joyful Celebrations abroad. The "Times" publishes Mr J. Brunton Stephens' poem "Australia. Federata," and, quotes it in a leading, article. A copy' of the poem was sent to the Queen. The "Standard" refers to the remarkable' pa-

geant at Sydney as opening a fresh virgin chapter in "the history of the Anglo-Saxon race,' and a solemn recognition of the fact - that Britain has successfully completed another of those mighty enterprises- intrusted to its hands. The consummation of Australian* unity, marks a new epoch in the life of nations, and is a fresh victory for liberty.