THE NEW ZEALANDERS ENTERTAINED.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 January 1901, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALANDERS ENTERTAINED.

Serious Charges against the Governor of Fiji.

[by electric telegraph—copyright]

(per press association.)

Sydney, January 5. The Mokoia, with Mr Seddon, Carroll and members of Parliament and one thousand guests were entertained on the harbour and viewed the bemitiful scece. The Southland and Maori contingent were aboard, while the Tutanekai with another lot of visiters and members of the contingent were down the bay. The Government yacht was nicely decorated, Captain Post entertained the visitors in first class style. The health of the officers was drunk. The garden party at Government House was attended by a distinguished gathering. Mr Seddon and Mrs Seddon were present at the function to-day and in the evening. The Aquatic Carnival was also a New Zeal voders’ d .iy out. A ha.ndsomely illuminated address of welcome was presented by the New Zealanders. All the Parliamentary visitors from Maoriland were present. Mr Seddon in reply thanked the New Zealanders cordially for their welcome and referred to the doings of the troops in South Africa. There was no question of New Zealand, Australia and Canada being the army of the Empire. Referring to the question of New Zealand joining the Federation, the committees appointed would fully enquire into the matter and report. The only thing was that Australia should suspend judgment and New Zealand do the same, and trust to them to do what was right. Something would be done to bring Australia and New Zealand closer together. Had he been an Australian he would have been an ardent fcderlist, because the fight of the traffic, which had gone might one day have had seious results. He believed that it New Zealand had taken part the various conventions would only have hampered the efforts for the federation of the Australian states. Touching on the Island question, bo said that New Zealand’s intentions were to make them British. He could not altogether trust the Imperial authorities that after what happened in New Guinea and Samoa, they would not yet allow the New Hebrides to slip into foreign hands. Ho did got care whether New Zealand or Australia had the Islands. Ha had received a cable from Fiji via Auckland in which it was alleged that a clergyman well-known there was to be deported by the Governor because he had the courage to advocate federation, and give the people of the Crown Colony political freedom. It was further stated that if the clergyman was deported, it would lead to a serious rising in the district to which he belonged. About two hundred and fifty New Zealanders were present. After an enthusiastic ceremony trips round the harbor made by the Tutaneki. Afterwards the vessel landed the New Zealand troops at the pleasure grounds, where Mr Witheford, M.H,8., gave a fine entertainment to the men and also the representatives of the Black Watch and Royal Horse Artillery at a spread. The toast of the army was responded to by Lieutenant Hughes and Corporal Burford of the Black Watch. The latter was one of the few who escaped slaughter at Magersfontein. He spoke feelingly of the good comradeship of the colonials. The Hon. Mr Carroll responded on behalf of the Government and euhgised the host entertaining the troops.