COMMONWEALTH CELEBRATIONS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 10 January 1901, Page 4

COMMONWEALTH CELEBRATIONS.

(PER PRHSS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.)

New Zealanders sail for Home.

London, January 8. The Prince of Wales will attend the Commonwealth banquet to be hold in London on the 21st. The Commonwealth's generous response for further contingents to South Africa, is warmly and unanimously appreciated by the Press. Three new artillery batteries are being formed at Aldershot. Sydney, January 8. The Naval and Military sports were again largely attended- The New South Wales Lancers carried off all honors for tent pegging section, against crack Imperial rogiments. The ltoyal Arthur's team won the bayonet review exercise and physical drill exercise, the King's Dragoon Guards the lance exercise. The rivalry between the Colonials and Imperials in all tho events was keen. The E.A.M.C. gave an ambulance display. The crowds in the streets, which on Hie last couple of nights had somewhat fallen off, were very large to-night to lake the last opportunity to witness the illuminations and hear the bands. The assault at arms organised in connection with the Commonwealth celebra-

tions attracted a large gathering. There were some fine exhibitions of fencing given by the Imperial troops. The New Zcalanders' popularity was exemplified by the great send-off accorded them. A large crowd of New Zcalanders and of the general public were on the wharf as tho Tutanokai cmbarked the Federal contingent. Just before the vessel sailed Mr Seddon took farewell of Mr Carroll, who presided in the saloon. Several toasts were drunk, and thanks returned to New South Wales for the kindness shown to the New Zcalanders. At G 30 the steamer cast off amid the tootling of the whistles of the ferry boats and the cheering of the people ashore. As the vessel passed the warships at Farm Cove the men-of-wars'-rncn clambered into the rigging and el leered the departing troops. Mr Seddon has left for Brisbane. Lord I [opctoun forwarded the Federal Minister of Defence a message expressing his high appreciation of the display of the troops at the last Thursday review. The New South Wales Colonial Secretary sent the letters to the head of the Military and Police Departments complimenting and thanking them for the successful, manner in which they performed their duties and assisted at the Government celebrations.

Government will entertain the police at a smoke, concert and the Imperial troops at a theatre party. Colonel Crole "VVyndham expressed delight at the splendid accommodation and hospitality accorded the Imperial contingent. Five and a half million tram fares were collected for the fortnight ended January sth, representing £33,000. Mr Scdclon, speaking at the Trades Union gathering, claimed that the nobility of labor had at" length been recognised. He traced the history of the labor movement, showing how from the goldfields freedom of speech had been secured to the workers. He said that it was not the black labor in the Queensland sugar plantations that the white workers of Australia had to be afraid of, but the cheap labor of the Continent, Germany, Belgium, and even America. He urged the workers of Australia to set an example to the workers of the Mother Country and endeavor by every means to bring about Federation of labor. The New Zealand bagpipes played at Government House luncheon.

Mr Seddon to-night entertained the Pipers at the Hotel Australia, where a largo crowd gathered to hear the playing.

The Federal Carnival came to an end to-night-At a great banquet to the Press over 500 were present. Sir W. Lyne occupied tho chair, and was supported by the Ministry- Mr Barton was also present. After the usual loyal toasts, Sir Wm Lyne gave tho toast of " tho Press of tho Empire." He said that it was the most successful gathering of journalists ever hold in the Southern Hemisphere, representing every part of tho Empire. Journalism in the Australian colonies and New Zealand was a credit to them. Ho paid a tribute to Messrs Lambie and Spooner, who died at their posts of duty in Sonth Africa.

Each colony responded to the toast. Mr J. L. Kelly replied on behalf of New Zealand, which was represented by a number of journalists. Major-General French, in responding to the Army, said that our soldiers had been twitted in the past with being amateurs, but the best generals of the British Army had asserted that the Colonials knew how to play the game. When Britain wanted to close the war she applied to the Australian Colonics for men, and they would be sent. Mr Seddon goes to Toowoomba tomorrow, thence to Brisbane, and Mr Carroll goes to Melbourne on Thursday. Melbourne, This Day.

The Argus demands that the Federal Ministry should make an early open declaration of its policy.