THE COMMONWEALTH.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3463, 7 January 1901, Page 2

THE COMMONWEALTH.

United fj-ecs Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright, Received 8.43 a.m., January sth. SYDNEY, January 5. Mr SedtJon. said yesterday they would ask if there was any chance of reciprocity of good feeling. If any Federalist went to New Zealand he would find there equal to the welcome tlie New Zea landers had received at the celebration of the Australian Commonwealth : he could The, kmij thingi hfi ?oa . "...oreu, was tne people. He unhesitatingly declared that the peoples of Australia and New Zealand were so close together and entwined that nothing would ever separate them. Whether there was complete federation or partial federation, there would always be federation of blood between them. He also- referred to the paucity of New Zealand and Australian news in the respective countries, and declared that it was an injustice to both. iTe Vas quite prepared to let the respective Governments of both countries deal with the subject. Sir Robert Stout, in the course of an interview, said he was greatly impressed by the magnificent hospitality of Sydney, the great improvement of the city, and the orderliness of the crowds. Asked regarding New Zealand joining the Federation, he said he would rather not express tin opinion. Federation was not now a political issue, but may become one. So far the people of New Zealand had not to any large extent had their attention drawn to the question. The danger he saw 'ahead of all the colonies was that too much military spirit was displayed everywhere. It would be a fatal day to the southern democracies if they arranged a standing army, and thus permanently withdrew from industries a large number _of their best men. Another thing whicH would have to be cautiously dealt witß would be the withdrawal of able men from the State Governments and fixing their attention too much on the Government of the Commonwealth. It would bo a fatjil thing for Australia if her able men did not take the burden of tlie ndjiiinistrative

work of the State Governments. Touching South Africa, he said: "In the laudable desire to help the Empire in the South African trouble, I am surprised that- no suggestion has been made by the colonies, say Queensland and New South "Wales, that have vast tracts of land and a climate similar to that of Sonth Africa, to' ■take some thousands of the Boers as settlers, and give them land and all the pri- * vDeges of colonists. This would prove to the Boers that there is no ill-will against them, and 'would help, perhaps, the solution of the South African trouble. It must be remembered that had it not been for Dutch and German assistance,, we might have lost Waterloo." Received 11.32 ajn., January sth. The Government used £2500 'worth of fireworks in last night's superb display. ships the mercantile-marine took a hand ' from pontoons. The noise of the mortars became deafening, and the heavens were ablaze with myriads of coloured stars. The concluding scene was a brilliant flight of 3000 rockets at one time. It was past midnight before the company on board the Mokoia broke up after witnessing the display, which was a revelation to the New Zealand visitors. - A large number of representative people j assembled in the" saloon, of the Mokoia. V Mr Seddon proposed the health of the ■ Union Steam Ship Company, and thanked . them for the opportunity they had given |' of seeing the marine illuminations from - such an excellent quarter. Mr ,Wise, Attorney-General, expressed' r .the thanks of >the New South Wales Gov- ' eminent- to the Union Gompany and other ! private firms for so ably seconding the Government's efforts to make the ComV monwealth festivities a success. Federaf tion -would not be complete till New Zeai. »and came within the fold./ He expressed a strong hope that- she would-do so. Mr Jackson, in reply, said that though } 2few Zealand was outside the Common- ) wealth he was pleased to find his offer, to } burnish one of the company's steamers to form an escort to H.3VI.S-. Royal Arthur when the Governor-General arrived had Seen - accepted. Mr Seddon proposed- the health of the Xew South Wales Government and the (officials who had been charged with the •duty of providing for the entertainment -of the visitors. - Mr Carroll and one of the Maori chiefs, ZRatana Ngahrua, also spoke. His Eminence Cardinal Moran, on beLhalf of ids Church in Australia, presented -the with an address of welcome. An address was also presented from the ;Presbyter£an Church of New Zealand. Sir W. Lyne has received a. cablegram -from the Officer Commanding the Australian Contingent in China, conveying the rgood wishes, of the Italian troops to the ■Commonwealth. Sir W. Lyne, on .the. strength of legal advice, declares that he has not- forfeited his seat in the State Parliament in accepting a Portfolio in the' Federal Cabinet. He wiO not resign hi 3 office of State Premier at as'he considers it would lie particularly inconvenient to do so just now amidst the Commonwealth celebrations.

Trouble has arisen oyer: the. Fedend Customs' Begulatiqni.-.' A deputation' of Hobartmerchants has pet-itionedthe looal > Treasureragainst -the new. .schedule/which - is declared -.to- be-, unworkable. Similar complaints have beenmade at Melbourne. The" matter has been referred to- Sir C. Kingston, the Federal" Minister, to whom • has been allotted the offices of the Colonial ' Secretary's Department. A monster combined trades* union and j friendly societies* demonstration was held | to celebrate the Commonwealth. - About I 28 unions tooij part, and . eich union was ' headed by a trolly carrying , a banner and [ a practical representation of vocation. A | score of friendly societies with , a .wealth of banners and allegorical representations on waggons also took part. A band.pre- - ceded each third society. The display -altogether was most effective. / The procession paraded the principal streets t<r the Agricultural Society's ground at Moore ; Park, where sports were held in the after- ' noon. Many thousands of people were ; massed along the line of route. - Beceived 10.30 a.m., January 6th. Mr Seddon received a most enthusiastic I reception at the trades gathering at the agricultural grounds. The Maori chiefs also received a warm, welcome, j Sir W. Lyne proposed the health of Mr ' Seddon and that of the chiefs. The Maoris were presented to Lord fiopetoun and - made graceful poetic speeches, which were - translated by Mr A L. D. Fraser, M.H.B. for Napier. Katana and Tamahu were the speakers, and expressed their gratification at the GovernorGeneral's restoration to health. One said —"You have been at death's door: Now we see you well, and our hearts are glad. We welcome you. We have longed that the chance might come to see our great .Queen, but in shaking hands with you, .we feel nearer our great desire." Mr "Seddon suitably ~ responded to the toast of his healtii- . A naval and military banquet was held in the" Town Hall to-night. - It was a brilliant assemblage. Mr Seddon apologised for the absence of Mr CarrolL Sir Bobert Stout, Chief Justice of New Zealand, proposal the toast of the Commonwealth! He thanked the Government of -New South Wales for- their magnificent : hospitality and spake in' high terms of the; T great, godd order -which had prevailed during the demonstrations. In referring'to , New Zealand's attitude on Federation, he said that it seemed to that Australian statesmen were not unlike the "Laird of ? Cockpen"in wooing New Zealand to join. If they followed out the result of the Scottish song they would remember that union afterwards came about, and was I Messed. If the Commonwealth was to i "be a success they must have high ideals. Jfew Zealand sympathies were with them : in the task they had undertaken. Mr Barton in replying, thanked Sir j Bobert Stout for the lofty tone of his I speech. Mr Barton said that he valued it, coming from one whose experience. as ■a, politician and , the-occupier of a high a position in New Zealand. Without divulg '' ing a secret Mr Barton might say that the ( -Governor-General had prepared a general border referring to the magnificence and " good order displayed by the populace. Mr Barton thanked the Imperial authorities for the grand display by the troops. Beceived 6.4 ( p.m., . January 6th. Lord Hopetonn has received the followrvag personal message from. Her Majesty the Queen: —"Accept my heartfelt conH rgratulations for the New and for she welfare of my new Australian Comt inonwealth." Included in the trades procession were - carriages containing the Minister of .Works afid s of. |oc?lag3 yiatia'g; ParThe attendance tllfi * sports was. very large. Lord Hopetonp, Sir W. Lyne and Mr Seddon were among the visitors. Mr O'Sollivan, the Minister <jf Works, replying to the toast of the Ministry, hoped that with Federation the remnant- of coloured labour in Australia would be wiped out. He gave an assurance that it would not be long before trades unionism as part of the democracy would be an integral portion of the government of the country. Mr Trenwith, of Victoria, replying for the Commonwealth, said that trades unionism had entered a new phase. Past oppressive laws had L ; rendered it illegal, but they had broken v through them and attained a position of f respectability and public recognition. The efflux" of Commonwealth visitors has i fairly commenced. The special- train con- ' veying the civilian guests from the southern colonies left last night; others with ' troops leave to-day and to-morrow. Sir W. Lyne disclaims any responsibility in connection with the complaints of His ■ Eminence, Cardinal Moran, in regard to j precedence. Sir \V. Lyne says that the f subject had been settled previously by the Colonial Office. Whatever was prescribed in the rules laid down should have been j carried out. He understands that the : ; real trouble was a proposed alteration at j ' ihe last minute. Cardinal Moran claims that the Home Government communicated i i 0 Lord Hopetoun the order of precedence f in which His Eminence the Cardinal was allotted the place of honour above the ; •Primate. The secretary of the celebration committee denies the Cardinals state\ment that- an invitation was not sent to Catholic bishops. /Beceived 1-17 a.m., January 7th. Lord Curzon, Governor-General of In'dia, has telegraphed his congratulations on * ijj 10 inauguration of the Conuaomre^lth.;

ig marred only by the illness of Lady Hope>le toun. Lord Curzon was proud to learn th that the Indian troops looked well. 10 Special services in connection with the s, Commonwealth were preached at all the s, Churches to-day. The Governor-General li- attended the State service at the Cathedral, to' There was a distinguished congregation, t- All the MLifciers of the Federal Cabinet i- were present. "e A great thanksgiving service was held st by the Presbyterians at the Town Hall, at i- which the Governor-General was also preset ent. Professor Harper, of Melbourne, n preached on ''Australia for the Ause tralians."