VISITING PRESSMEN.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1401, 29 March 1912, Page 6

VISITING PRESSMEN.

AUSTRALIAN DELEGATES ENTERTAINED. Tho Australian press delegates who have been 'attending the conference at Auckland wero_ entertained yesterday afternoon by the Wellington newspaper proprietors on a harbour excursion. After a cruise round tho harbour oil the s.s. Awaroa, the party disembarked at Day's Bay and tho visitors were outertained at afternoon tea at Bay's Bay, House. Amongst those present was the ActingMayor of Wellington (Mr;. J. Smith)- Jn welcoming the delegates Mr. Smith said that the visitors had come to view the attractions of tho small Dominion of Xew Zealand. Th« delegates, he thought, would be pleased at what they had teen, and he thought also that_their visit would be for the benefit of Ken Zealand. The City Council would be-pleased .to carry the delegates round the city iii.ono of its cars. Mr. T. Mills (Fielding "Star") briefly thanked the local newspaper proprietors for their hospitality and tho kindly way in which tho visiting delegates had. beon treated.

Mr. Greslev Lukin, editor of the "Evening Post," in acknowledging references to tho hospitality of the ''Evening Post" proprietary, spoko of the excellent work done at the Imperial Pross Conference by Mr. Temperley. He declared that lie know of no man who had done more for cable reform than Mr. Temperley. (Hear, hear.) , He knew what Mr. Temperley had to endure in the faco of monopoly, and lie, above all others, was responsible for what tliey had secured in the way of cable reforms at the conference in "question, It had to be remembered that cable reform was at the back of the highest national operations. Some of them were called democrats, some of -them might even be described ■ns Kepublicans, but they were one and all animated by one desire for the advancement and the solidarity of the Empire to which they all owed allegiance. Ho was gratified to be able to meet lus Australian fellowcountrymen, because, while they had not federated, they were linked by common ties. In conclusion, Sir. Lukin expressed the hope that the day would coino when we here would not ba altogether New Zcalanders, but Australasians in the great broad sense of tho nationhood of

the Southern Hemisphere. (Applause.) Mr. S. Brookes (Brisbane) spoke briefly. He paid a tribute to .Mr. Lnkin, ami said that in Brisbane people dated events from the advent of Greslcv Lukin in tho political affairs of that State.

Mr. Temperiey also spoke, and addressed himself to the question of cable reform and reciprocity between Australia and New Zealand in tho matter of defence. He did not suppose the two countries would ever federate now, but they could do something in the direction he had indicated.

Mr. Asher (Victoria) also spoke. The Hon. Mr. Bennett (Western Australia) said that the people in Australia should never rest till they got a better steam service between Australia and New Zealand. If the journey were shortened to- two days thousands and thousands of people from Australia would visit New Zealand. He alluded to tho good work that was being done in Australia by tho establishment of agricultural,colleges in all the largo centres, and urged that reciprocal relations should be established between New Zealand and Australia in the

natter of defence, trade, and patent laws. 11l Australia the public men were only :oo anxious to come to some understand-

itig with New Zealand in the matter of defence. Ho discovered in New Zealand a feeling of distrust against Australia, but Mr. Fisher had held out the olive branch. In New Zealand there was ample room for new settlers, but .Australia was

diking some of tlio New Zealand settlers. A voice: You ore only borrowing them. Mr. Bennett sail It was a fact, but

he (lid not know why tho peoplo he referred to were leaving New Zealand—perhaps it was the swing of the pendulum. Mr. I'inkstoiie (New South Wales) also spoke. _ 1 . The visiting delegates passed a hearty vote of thanks to tho local newspaper proprietors for their hospitality, anil this was responded to by Messrs. 0. Lnkin (on behalf of the proprietors of the "Evening Post"), P. C. Troeth ("New Zealand Times"), and A. Itlanton (Dominion).