ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue II, 12 January 1901, Page 87

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

(From Our Special Correspondent.) LONDON, November 30. COLONIAL STOCK ACT. The Colonial Stock Act of last session, authorising trustees to invest in colonial stocks complying with regulations framed by the Tieasury, has so far proved a dead letter. No regulations have yet been issued, and I understand that the ITeasury officials are finding it an extremely difficult task to draft regulations that will afford proper protection to trust funds and yet not irritate the colonies.

SIR WALTER BULLER ON COLONIAL TOPICS. Sir Walter Buller made a decided “hit” in his speech at the civic banquet in the Ironmongers’ Hall on Thursday evening last. His name was coupled with the toast of the “Visi-

tors,” of whom there were luauy. After suitably responding, he la uu ebed off into congenial subjects, that had been just touched upon by previous speakers,!mperial Federation,the Commonwealth of Australia, and the future of the South Pacific. He defended his colony from the suggestion of disloyalty in not joining the Commonwealth. He explained that New Zeaalthough only 1200 miles from Australia, had really more in common with this country than with the sister continent, and that the objections to federation were of a purely local character. He declared that New Zealand, although the remotest of our colonies, was second to no part of the Queen’s dominions in its devotion to the throne and nution. He reminded his audience of how, when the great wave of patriotism swept over the Empire in connection with the war in South Africa. New Zealand was the very first, of the colonies to come to the aid of the Mother Country with offers of men and money. The Colonial Government, without even waiting for the approval of Parliament, raised aud equipped several contingents of strapping colonials, and sent them, well mounted, to the scene of action. The movement was so popular with the colonists themselves Quit, when the Government bad done all it could, the people put their hands in their pockets aud paid the entire cost of raising two more contingents; and everyone knew how well these men had acquitted themselves in the field! When Parliament met, with one single dissentient voice, Mr. Seddon’s action was approved, and the necessary money voted; and that one dissentient voice was effectually silenced at the general elections that followed by the defeat, of that member! Instead of federating with Australia, the Premier, with the assistance of his able colleague, the Bon. Mr. Ward, had formulated a statesmanlike scheme for the building up of another great Commonwealth —the Commonwealth of the South Pacific—-with the seat of the Federal Government in New Zealand. Now, this was the sort of thing that made for Empire and the progress of made for Empire and the propress of our race. The proposed Fijian federation had been passed by a large majority of the House of Representatives, and had been hailed with satisfaction by the Fijian colonists themselves; but

«Mt aud skirt, blaek hat; her frieud wore blue; Mrs. W. Leathatn, greeu and black silk blouse. dark skirt, hat to match; Miss Roy, pink and white; Mrs. 8. Shaw, white pique costume; Mrs. J. Hempton, black; Miss Mathews, white; Miss Fleetwood, hollaud costume; Miss N. Humphries, red and white silk blouse. Mnek skirt: Miss W. George, grey costume. en suite; Miss Smith, bh>. «<» “" 8,,n: Mrs. Copeland, blaek and white costume; Mrs. Finlay, grey coat and skirt; Miss Smith, pink and cream; Miss Hay (Auckland). Rrey; Mrs. Courtney, blue check costume; Miss C. Bayly, grey blouse, cerise neckband, dark skirt, sailor hat: Miss Lloyd, white, ami lettuce-green silk sash; etc. WANCY LEE.