EMPIRE PREMIERS IN BRITAIN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1132, 20 May 1911, Page 5

EMPIRE PREMIERS IN BRITAIN.

BUSY ROUND OF FUNCTIONS. MR. FISHER BANQUETED BY SCOTCH MINERS. CONTRAST BY MR KEIR-HARDIE By Telegraph—Presr Association-Oopyrieht (Rec. May 19, 11 p.m.) London, May 19. The Ayrshire Miners' Union banqueted Mr. Fisher last night. Mr. Keir-Hardie, presided, and in addressing the gathering said ho was unable to help contrasting tho arrival of the Kaiser and Mr. Fisher. One represented tho dominance of class, and the other represented tho coming force— the rulo of the common people. Mr. Fisher, 'without tho adventitious aids of a tongue-ready speaker, but by honesty and strong convictions, had reached tho Prime Ministership, and had done much to raise the human race to a higher plane. Mr. Fisher, in replying, said that whatever the Labour leaders of Great Britain might say about defence, he would ask them not to prescribe for the conditions obtaining in Australia. If he stood by and saw Australia undefended it would be a criminal neglect of one of his first duties. Opportunities existed in Australia and New Zealand equal to, and probably better than, those in tho closer Dominions.

After the banquet a public meeting was held, at which Sir. Keir-Hardie declared that what Labour had dono for Australia it could do for Britain. It was good for Australia to deplete Scot, land of men, but it was bad for Scotland. He would be no party to a policy which deluded men into going away when they were needed to rescue their own country. THE BRITISH INVESTOR, MR. FISHER SAYS FEARS ARE GROUNDLESS. (Rec. May 19, 11.10 p.m.) London, May 19. Mr. Fisher, on being asked by an interviewer if tho advent of tho Labour party had disturbed British investors, replied that, there was still an uneasy feeling among some ill-informed investors. Ho declared emphatically that tho fears of these people were groundless. It was quito foreign to Labour policy to attack special interests.

Mr. Fisher said he had met a contingent of statesmen who had expressed their admiration for the system of tho oversea Dominion Governments, and who also rejoiced that the British Dominions wore absolutely free yet with a mutual attachment. This seemed a system of government that might even lend to i wider federation.

MR. M'GOWEN PLEASED. (Rec. May 19, 11.10 p.m.) London, May 10. . Mr. M'Gowen stated in an interview that he had found even greater confidence in Australian securities than ho had expected. The people liked tlio safer and surer method of sinking funds as a security for their investments. DEPUTATION TO MR. ASQUITH. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S PROPOSALS. London, May 18. A deputation from the Koyal Colonial Institute- waited upon Air. Asqwch, Prime Minister, and urged that he should give his support to the suggestion for closer constitutional union of tho Empire, which would bo discussed, on Sir Joseph Ward's initiative, at the Imperial Conference. It was also urged by the deputation that the Government should officially recognise the many private voluntary societies engaged in forwarding emigration by constituting an official commitincluding representatives of tho societies and of the Government departments concerned. Mr. Asquith gave a sympathetic reply, and expressed appreciation of the Institute's work. Ho promised carefully to consider the points raised. THE AUSTRALIAN DELECATES i NEWSPAPER COMMENT. London, May 18. _ The "Pall Mall Gazette" (Unionist), in complimenting Sir George lteid on yesterday's striking reception to tho Australian delegates, says:—"As Labour Ministers, Messrs. Fisher, Uatchelor, and Pcarce enlist the curiosity and interest of all politicians. What strikes one about Mr. Fisher and his colleagues is the ingenuousness with which they approach the biggest international problems. Mr. Fisher's high ideals of a bond of Empire are with him but an indication of a larger bond of amity among English-speaking nations. This is an admirablo sentiment, though it docs not obliterate one's consciousness of tho intervening difficulties. But yesterday's sentiments are pregnant of aid to tho Imperial idea." Tho "Daily News" (Liberal), after cursorily dismissing Sir Joseph Ward's Imperial Council proposals, remarks:— "Whatever reorganisation tho conference may effect, thero will be a modest readjustment of tho Imperial Secretariat and the Colonial Office, with possibly some moro definite approach to the establishment of an Imperial Court of Appeal. This would not be magnificent, but would be practical statesmanship."

MR, FISHER IN SCOTLAND, VISITS HIS NATIVE TOWN. London, May IS. Mr. A. Fisher, Prime Minister of Australia, accompanied by his wife and son, Sir George Reid (Australian High Commissioner), Mr. D. Bowman (Leader of the Queensland Labour Party), and Mr. Keir-Hardie, M.P., visited Scotland, and was accorded an enthusiastic home-com-ing. At Glasgow Mr. Fislicr was welcomed by tho Lord Provost and councillors, tho Miners' Executive, and leading citizens. Tho party motored through the Burns Country to Ayr, visited Mosgiel, and inspected the Burns manuscripts. Tliey took luncheon at tho Auld Brig of Doon. On their return there was a great demonstration at Crosshouso, tho village in Ayrshire where Mr. Fisher was born forty-nino years ago. Miners fresh from the pit, villagers, and school children welcomed the Labour Prime Minister. Old miners, comrades of Mr. Fisher's colliery days, and old women wrung his hand effusively, tho scbool children singing "A Man's a Man for a' That." Mr. Fisher, who was much moved, returned thanks for his reception. Tho Federal Premier will bo entertained at a public dinner to-night. SENATOR PEARCE ENTERTAINED. A MILITARY DINNER, London, May 18. Major P. N. Buckley, Commonwealth Military Advisor in London, entertained

Senator Pearce, Minister tor Defence, at dinner at the. Junior United Service Club. Sir Reginald Talbot, General Nicholson, Admiral Sir R. Henderson, • Sir C. Oakley, and many military officers, were present. NEW SOUTH WALES PREMIER. .VISITS THE SECRETARY OF STATE. London, May 18. Mr. M'Gowcn, Labour Premier of New South Wales, interviewed Mr. L. Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and discussed several questions of importance to New South Wales. Afterwards Mr. M'Gowcn dined with Mr. Ramsay Macdonald and soveral Labour members of tho Houso of Commons. During tho day Mr. M'Gowcn also walked a mile and a half through tho low-level sewer in South London, with a diameter of 91ft., which is being tunnelled bv compressed air through waterbearing "strata at a depth of forty feet. He was favourably impressed with tho method of construction. ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL AND ST. CEORGE. SERVICE IN THE CHAPEL. London, May 18. A religious function was celebrated in the chapel of St. Michael and St. Georgo in St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir John Forrest's banner being affixed. Among those present were Bishop Montgomery (formerly Bishop of Tasmania), Lady Forrest, Lord and Lady Denman, Admiral Sir F. Bedford (exGovernor of Western Australia), Sir Joseph Ward,. Sir John Downer, tho Hon; J. W. and Mrs. Hackott (Western Australia), and Sir, Pope Cooper (Queensland), and Sir Elliott and Lady Lewis (Tasmania).