The Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1886. TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS. THIRD EDITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5648, 18 June 1886, Page 3

The Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1886. TO-DAY'S TELEGRAMS. THIRD EDITION.

The Presbyterians and the New Hebrides. A Notable Banquet. IBT ELSCTSIC TELEGEAFS — COPTEIGBW.I [BfcxjsEß's Telegbamb.] [Received June IS, at 11.45 a n» "] MEIBOUENE, Jem 17. An influential deputation of the Presbyterian clergy "waited to-day upon the Premier to urge the proteo 1 tion of British interests in the New Hebrides. In reply to the speakers, Mr Gillies said he concurred heartily with their views, and maintained that England had an equal right -with France to hoist the flag at the New Hebrides. He promised that he would immediately represent the views of the deputation to the Governor, and request His Excellency to ask Admiral Tryon to take steps to prevent interference with the rights and interests of missionaries iD the New Hebrides. LONDON, Jwm 16. At the banqnet given to-night by the St George's Club to the Colonial Agents-GeDqral and the various Executive Commissioners at the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, Sir Philip Cunliife Owen presided, and took occasion to express the general regret felt at the death of Sir Alexander Stuart. Mr Berry, in responding to the toast of the Executive Commissioners, said he rejoiced in the growing conviction of the Mother Country as to the value of her Colonies. Ke considered the Exhibition now open represented the Federation of the Empire. In alluding to the New Hebrides question, he nrged that the Imperial Government should protect the interests of the Colonies in regard to those islands. Judge Maaning concurred with Mr Berry, and said that the Colonies were educating the Imperial Parliament and th* Government to the value of Imperial tinity. Sir A. Blyth expressed the opinion that the Colonies would help England if she trusted them, ]\Jr Garrick said the present Exhibition was the pride of the Empire, and he hoped a permanent Colonial museum would be formed in London to continue the good work done by the Exhibition. The banquet was moat successf al, and the proceedinga passed off with eclat. Sir Samuel Wilson b^as announced his intention to contest Portsmouth at the general election to the House of Commons.