THE COLONIAL PREMIERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XC, Issue 13270, 26 April 1907, Page 5

THE COLONIAL PREMIERS.

PARLIAMENTARY LUNCHEON. United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, April 24. Th„' Parliamentary luncheon to the Premiers in Westminster Hall was a. brilliant affair. The attendance numbered 650, including members of the House of Commons-, Ministers and ex-Ministers, notable ? ladies, _ the High Commissioners, and the Agents-General. There was a picturesque procession of Conference representatives and their ladies, Sir Wilfrid Laurier leading with Mrs Deakin, who sat on Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman's left\ and Lady* Laurier on his right. The guests; were given an enthusiastic ovation. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman proposed " Our Guests," coiipled with Sir * Wilfrid Lauricr's name. He emphasised Im* historic character and significance of the ocgreeted the Premiers with goodwill and affection, and recognised their patriotic sacrifices. The British Government, Opposition and- Parliament were anxious to pav all honour to the visitors. Mr Balfour .felicitously supported .the toa.=t. The guests he said had as much right to- the historic memories suggested by Westminister Hall as ourselves. Sir Wilfrid Laurier responded. He raid he once dreamt that he would have liked a -feat in the Imperial Parliament, which had done so much for the liberties ■ of mankind. He recognised, later, however, that, the right would prove a source df embarrassment both to the Motherland and the daughter nations. The best way to maintain the Empire was to allow every community to administer . its own afihirs by its own Parliament. Mr Botha, who wa.s given a. reception proposed, '.' The Mother of Parliaments " from whom sprang the constitution for which the Transvaal was' grateful. Lord Loreburn (Lord Chancellor), and the Right Hon. J. W. Lowther, Speaker of the House of Commons, responded. COLONIAL INSTITUTE DINNER. . LONDON, .April 25. The Colonial Institute.'dinner to the Premiers at Whitehall rooms was the .greatest function of the season.. The Earl of Elgin presided, and the 400 guests included Lords Halsbury, Marlborough, Norfolk. Jersey, Alversto'ne, Brassey, Ranfurly, Rothschild/ Strathcona, Sir Edward Grey, Sir Fowell Buxton, and Sir Sydenham Clarke. . Lord Elgin's casual reference to Mr Chamberlain evoked immense and prolonged cheering. Sir Wilfrid Laurier eulogised the granting of ilia constitution to their late enemies in South Africa as the continuation of a generous policy. Mr Deakin's speech bantered Lord Elgin for restricting information regarding the Imperial Conference. Mr Deakin was glad they had published Mr Haldane's sj>eech on the principles of defence, but why stop there? Did the Empire exist onlv for defence; must there be. a brain for" the army, a brain for the navy, no brain for 'commerce. Mr Deakin asked why, if the Empire was able to stand slioulder to shoulder for defence, 'it was unable also to do so for the protection of commerce. Traders were exposed to subsidized foreign competition which placed a false weight in the scale against us. At least they might insist on equal terms l , and mate Imperial citizenship a reality as well as a name. Mr Deakin's references to preference evoked tremendous enthusiasm. Sir J. G. Ward said he was much impressed with the work of the Conference. It was a good thing to meet imperially ■and regularly. Sir Frederick Borden, Sir Robert Bond, Sir Reginald Taibot, and Lord Tweedmouth, also spoke. Lord Tweedmouth urged the need of an army and navy alike full of mobility to serve where -required. That could only 02 secured by liberty and unity liberty for each part of the Empire to have a ray what was best for its defence in that part, to help the Empire as a whole, and unity between all parts of the Empire in a time of danger.