AUSTRALIAN ANNIVERSARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8841, 30 January 1907, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN ANNIVERSARY.

BANQUET IN LONDON. : Jnited Press Association— By Electrio Telegraph — Copyright. LONDON, Janusiry 29. An Australian Anniversary Day banquet was held at the Trocadero. One hundred and ninety were present, including the Lord Mayor, Sir Montague Nelson, the Hon W. P. Reeves and many representative merchants* bankeds and shipowners. Lord Tennyson presided, and proposed " The Day We -Celebrate." He read messages from Mr Deakin and Mr Bent. Each was re- • ceived with applause. Lord Tennyson •fcrongly advocated the immigration of car#ftilly selected British men and women who would greatly strengthen the Commonwealth. Lord Tennyson, in the course of his speech, said that he hoped the Premiers' Conference would consider the establishment of a co-operative system of colonial defence throughout the Empire and the organisation, of an Intelligence Committee. Re hoped that Australian representatives would subout a carefully considered scheme of preferential tariffs in favour of British commodities, which would lead up to •biter-Imperial free trade. He hoped that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman "kould' open, the Conference .to show that It was not only a colonial but an Imgerial Conference. Sir John Cockburn proposed " The •Imperial Government." Lord Elgin, ia ; replying, aaid that the greatest \ difficulty in the way of about unity cf sentiment be,'tween the governments of the colornies and the Motherland was want of acquaintance, therefore, he would appreciate nothing more than forming acquaintance with the leaders of colonial Parliaments at the Conference. (While he was preparing a programme, it was obviously improper for him to express an opinion on Lord Tennyson's'suggestions. He would cordially welcome Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-man. opening the Conference. Lord Brassey proposed "The Im.perial ; Forces." • Admiral Bowden Smith and General Hutton replied.. The latter advocated "the establishment by the Motherland of '» militia similar to that of Canada and ■Australia. ; ' '