DOMINION PREMIERS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 24 December 1926, Page 6

DOMINION PREMIERS.

ACTIVITIES ABROAD. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, December 22. Mr Coates visited Trois-Abres cemetery, where two hundred New Zealanders are buried, and Cite Bonjeau, Armentieres where 452 are buried; also the Strand Hyde Park corner at Ploegstert. Mr Coates'traversed the battlefields of Warneton and laid a wreath on Messines monument. He visited Tonecot where the names of 1400 missing New Zealanders are inscribed on a beautiful screen wall. He also visited Cambrai, St. Quentin, and Masnieres cemetery, where twenty are buried. Leaving Gravenstael memorial in darkness, the motor cars stuck in the mud. and had to be pulled out by horses. Mr Coates visited the offices of the Rugby Union, to which he presented on behalf of the Maori people, a present of a beautifully carved shield commemorating the Maoris’ tour. M. Brennus (president of the Rugby Union) welcomed Mr Coates and eulogised the Maoris. Mr Coates, in his reply, emphasised the esteem in which New Zealanders held file Maori race. M. Muhr handed over a book relating the French discoveries, in the South Seas, printed in 1774, which Due Decazes is presenting to the New Zealand archives. M. Painleve paid a tribute to the Maoris’ services in war time, after which Rika and Haupapa led the wav dance. Mr Coates leaves for London tomorrow. He spends Christmas in Herefordshire, and sails for New York by the Aquitania on January 5. The Prime Minister expects to arrive in New Zealand on February 12. LONDON, December 22. Mr Bruce arrived at Waterloo Stat ion 10 minutes before the departure of the boat train. He spent the time gaily chattir.s- with numerous friends and officials, inc'tiding Colonel de Satge« (representing the Prime Minister), Colonel Ameiy, Lord Ashfield, Sir Newton Moore, Sjv Mark Sheldon. Sir James Coaolly, Hon. -1 G. Lathan, the A~»nts-Genernl and Mr Herding Baterheo (of Dominions Office). Mr Bruce, interviewed, raid h e was taking to Australia the happiest possible recollections of the visit. One twinge of regret was leaving before the Christmas festival. He would have ,; k=d to have ream teed for the real old-fadiicned 'nowv Christmas, which appeared likely. “Now I am returning to mv sunshiny country, I think the best Christinas wish is ‘a sunnv future for the Empire.’ I « m confident it will r-ome. for T am ' filled with optimism nn. j look hack on what was accomplished at the Conference. The outcomo of shut momentous yet happy gathering is a

new spirit of co-operation. It has dispelled all doubts and suspicions existing in some people’s minds as to the opening of a new era for the British Empire, in which the great self-governing Dominions, while continuing to work out their own great individual problems, will co-operate in a spirit of unity for the further progress of the Empire as a whole. I wholeheartedly appreciate the kindness, courtesy, and hospitality shown,, not only by the heads of the country, but by the people of Britain.” . PARIS, December 22. The Paris edition of the Chicago “Tribune” publishes reports from London to> the effect that Mr Bruce and the Italian Ambassador concluded an agreement under which 20,000 Italian migrants will .be sent to Australia annually.