THE CONSTITUTIONAL LUNCHEON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12239, 12 June 1909, Page 5

THE CONSTITUTIONAL LUNCHEON.

Received June 11, 10.65 ps.m.' LONDON, June 11

The High Hon. A. J. Balfour, at the Constitutional luncheon, in proposing the-'toast of "The Guests," said that tha debates of the ppist "week upon Imperial defence must have caused a glow of pride in every man with Imperial instints. People recognised the parental stage of Great Britain's attitude towards the colonies "was over iiow, and that they had reached the stage or formal, equality. He was unable even , to, conceive what |prm the general closer organised unity .\of. ■ the;-j Empireo-.would - take, but tie form for purposes of 3e- j fence might take shape in the development of a Defence Committee, on which .the voices,of men of colonial experience had .already proved of great .value. /. Mr J, 0. .Fairfax" (Sydney); irt responding,; said that the delegates ha J been struck Very forcibly by the way iii which party lines, if not obliterated., were yet completely ignored. They had heard much which would help them to impresis-Imperial ideas upon the people of tteiif own larid^'. He hoped that, other pro-consuls: would follower the example of Lords Curzon and Milner and visit the, Dominions. , TliaV Dukd. ;:of''-.-'Wellington's x garden party at Apsle^ .House to. the Press delegate . included,, ihe Ambassadors, aiid' foreign?'officers''"competing at'the Olympiad '■'■ ■'': .'•'■'■ ■''') '•,'■. In the,evening the "Right Hon. A. J; Balfour, Lords Cr.ewe, Northcqte, Hindlip, Middleton, and:others gave dinner parties to the delegates.' and • . their ladies. I-]"-. ■ _:.; ■~]■■ ■ '■. .'■■■■ ' Later in the. e.vehing the Duchess qf Sutherland gave a reception at Stafford ■. House, ait- which' 2000 people.. were pre• sent. " •; .. .'..'• :-'. . - .■■ ■' - -,'■.■•..