HOME & FOREIGN.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXX, Issue 4729, 14 June 1911, Page 3

HOME & FOREIGN.

Tli% New Zealand Dinner. Received 9.55 p.m. 13th. London, June 13. Three hundred guests were present at the New Zealand annual dinner in the Trocadero Hotel, including Lord Plunket, Sir W. P. Reeves, Sir William Russell, Dr. Findlay, the and Agents-General. Mr L. Harcourt, in proposing the toast of “New Zealand,” referred to the Dominion successfully solving the riddle of closer settlement. Two million acres had been thrown open since January, which was an evidence of the opportunities offered British youths of small means. New Zealand’s filial act in presenting a Dreadnought had helped to bind the nations of the Empire together with a silken cord, which no enemy would be able to break. The Imperial conference marked an advance in Imperial co-operation beyond its predecessors, and the keynote of the future Imperial development would be not centralisation but co-operation. Sir J. G. Ward agreed that it was impossible to judge the Imperial Conference by the resolution s passed. Personally, he was determined to continue to urge changes in the Imperial system, which he believed were essential. In the future the Dominions would be required to do more than return the protection which Britain gave them. A combination of the nations of the Empire would make it impossible for any country to enter upon a policy of aggression. Sir E. Montague Nelson proposed the toast o£ the “Guests.” and Lord Ranfurly and Mr Fisher seconded. Mr Fisher declared that New Zealand led the world in social legislation. Australia was following the example, and would perhaps step aheife He hoped the time was near when Australia and New Zealand would be able to protect themselves from aggression, leaving the Home Country to guard the heart of the Empire.

Australian Meat for India. Received 9.5 p.m. 13th. London, June 13. J. A correspondent of the Daily Mail states that a monster petition is in circulation amongst the Hindus for presentation at the Coronation Durbar praying the King to direct that the supply of beef for the troops in India be obtained from Australia instead of local sources. The Hindus are willing that a direct tax should be levied upon them to cover the cost of cold storage. The correspondent adds that this will greatly benefit agriculture, and mentions that the price of plough bullocks has doubled in recent years. Fire in a Distillery. Lisbon, June 12. ,A burning lamp se*' a huge vat on fire in a whisky distillery on the outskirts of Lisbon. The flames spread to other vats, and the whole building was soon like a roaring furnace. The employees were panic-stricken, and many of them fled into the streets with their clothing ablaze. Others jumped out of windows in a naked condition. Firemen and soldiers are searching the ruins for possible victims. The Billiard Match. London, June 12. In his billiard match of 18.000 upon level terms with Inman, Gray has scored 7824, including a break of 598. Inman’s total is 4429. Stevenson, the bill i ard ist, was married on Saturday to Miss King. They have started for Australia, where Stevenson plays a series of matches. Hard-worked Premiers. Received 9.55 p.m. 13th. * London, June 13. S-Sir Wilfrid Laurier is confined to bis room with a sore throat. The Premiers are working at least 17 hours daily. Mr Fiaher is receiving hundreds of letters and 30 callers daily. He has been made an honorary member of 28 clubs, and his engagments are so continuous that it is difficult to find an hour for office work. Miscellaneous. London, June 13. James Roberta and Henry Bernstein, shipbrokera of Glasgow, have been remanded on a charge of defrauding the Union Bank of Scotland of £SOOO. The Miners’ Federation of Britain baa decided to accept no further responsibility regarding the South Wales dispute. Sir Israel Hart’s will directed the severance of an artery before burial, so as to confirm death.

The President of the Institute of Actuaries, referring to Mr Lloyd George’s insurance scheme, and the fact that some members of the Institute assisted in the acturial calculations, regretted that the Bill had not been based on the results of the new census. As it was they had to go on the figures and experiences of New Zealand for essential information.