SIR A. MILNER HONORED.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 25 July 1901, Page 4

SIR A. MILNER HONORED.

(by electric telegraph.)

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

London. July 21.

There was a crowd at the Guildhall, including the Hon. Mr. J. Chamberlain. Lord Sclborno, Hon. Mr. Goschen, the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Cromer, Sir Claude Macdonald and other notables. In connection with the ceremony of presenting Sir Alfred Milner with the Freedom of London. Sir A. Milner, wli was received with ringing cheers,. in the course of his speech emphasised the remarkable, almost phenomena], steadfastness of the bulk of the nation and the virtual unamity on the main issue. Few were willing to purchase peace by concessions compromising tnc future, or popularising rebellion by treating deliberate crimes stained with treason as venial offences. The country on the other hand resolved to treat the burghers, with such fairness and genorisity as to help them to accept the position and u tint at ely acquire the sentiments of British citizenship and work for the reconstruction of the country. Proceeding, lie said, that despite all the drawbacks he pointed to, the bold development of the natural resources of the annexed liepublics, the gradual and prudent introduction of self-government would heal the old sores and create new interests so as to bring the divers sections to co-oper-ate For the < ommon good. It would he by giving the world an object lesson of good government, and of reviving industry in the in u-o or less settled districts that the struggle would be ended.