The Commonwealth.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 5, 7 January 1901, Page 2

The Commonwealth.

TRADES UNION AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, Jan 5. Th'o Trades Union and Friendly Societies held a demonstration to celebrated the Commonwealth.

Some twenty-eight Unions, each headed by a trolley and carrying banners giving practical representation of the vocations, and a score of Friendly Societies, with a wealth of of banners, and allegorical representations on waggons, took part. A band preceded every third Society. The display was altogether most effective. The procession was directed to the Agricultural Societies’ ground, Moore Park, where sports were held in the afternoon. Many thousands of people were massed along the route.

MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN.

GREETINGS AND CONGRATULATIONS. EFFLUX OF VISITORS COMMENCED. Sydney, Jan. 6.' Lord Hopetoun has received the following personal message from the Queen: “Accept my heartfelt congratulations for the New Year and for the welfare of my new Australian Conmonwealth. ’ ’ Included in the trade procession were carriages containing the Ministers of Works of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and a uumber of local visiting Parliamentarians. The attendance at the sports waS' very large, Lord Hopetoun, Sir W. Lyne, and Mr Seddon being amongst the visitors. Mr O’Sullivan, Minister of Works,, replying to the toast of the Australian Ministry, hoped that with Federationthe remnant of colored labor in Australia would be wiped , out, and he j gave the assurance that it would notbe long before the trades unionism, as part of the democracy, would be an integral portion of the Government of the country. _ Mr Trenwith, of Victoria, replying for the Commonwealth, said that trades unionism entered a new phase. The past oppressive laws had rendered it illegal, but it had broken through them and had attained a position of respectability and public recognition.

The effiux of Commonwealth visitors has fairly commenced.. Special trains conveying civilian guests from the Southern Colonies left last night. Others, with troops, leave to-day and to-morrow. Sir W. Lyne disclaims any responsibility in connection with the Cardinal’s complaint in regard to precedence. He says that the subject was settled previously by the Colonial Office, and whatever was prescribed in the rules laid down should have been carried out. He understands that the real trouble was the proposed alteration at the last minute. Cardinal Moran claims that the Home Government communicated Lord Hopetoun’s order of precedence in which the Cardinal was allotted the place of honor above the Primate. The Secretary of the Celebrations Committee denies the Cardinal’s Statement that an invitation was not sent to the Catholic Bishops. The injured Imperial gunners are progressing favorably. Lord Curzon, Governor-General of India, telegraphed his congratulations on the inauguration of the Commonwealth, which was marred only by the' illness of Lady Hopetoun. He wagproud to learn that the Indian troops looked so well. Special services in connection with the Commonwealth were preached in all the churches to-day. The Governor; General attended the State services at the Cathedral. There was a distinguished congregation, all the Ministers of the Cabinet being present. A great thanksgiving service was held by the Presbyterians in the Town Hall, at which the Governor-general was also present. Professor Harper, of Melbourne, preached on the subject “ Australia for Australians.”