THE PREMIER’S DOINGS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2079, 14 May 1907, Page 2

THE PREMIER’S DOINGS.

AUSTRALIAN MAIL QUESTION

RECEPTION AT EDINBURGH, r

Press Association. —Copyright. LONDON, May 12; King Edward specially granted an audience to General Botha on Saturday morning. Lord Methuen and Mr. Churchill were also present. Large crowds assembled at Waterloo Station to take farewell, and numberless floral gifts woro made to the Misses Botha. The General sont a message to the people of Great Britain, thanking them for the sympathy and kindness shown during their pleasant stay. Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Mr. Deakin were admitted to Gray’s Inn pension room, and lunched in the hall, where Queen Elizabeth traditionally welcomed tli_e pioneers of the colonial Empire. . Lady Ward christened the Union steamer Maori at Denny’s yard, Dumbarton, Sir J. Ward made a brief informal speech. The party then motored up to Loch Lomond, and entrained at Glasgow for London. Sir. W. Lync discussed with bir Wilfrid Laurier a reciprocal treaty and exchanged lists of articles. The prospects are encouraging. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward motor to Glasgow and Locli Lomond. Interviews with the mail syndicate have been held by Mr. Bent and Sir AV. Lyne. It is understood the underwriters of debentures require a guarantee that the subsidy will be paid for ten years under any circumstances. Mr. Bent is willing to guarantee £125,000 a year for ten years if 'Victoria is allowed preference m the shape of reduction of fares and freights. . Sir AV- Lyne replied, stating m was simply impossible to consider one State receiving preference over another. Mr. Bent is willing to al-OW any other State to come in on the same terms. . . , Sir W Lyne refused. He said he was unprepared to give a guarantee without some concession merely for the sake of honor and glory. He sees Mr. Deakiu oil the subject on Monday. . r The syndicate is pressing for further delay before penalties are enforced. Mr. Deakiu is indisposed to delay. Sir AV. Lyne sent a telegram to Sir John Forrest, and is waiting a reply before lie acts. The Premiers received ail euchusiastic reception at Edinburgh. They breakfasted with 200 colonial University students, and subsequently addressed the members •of the Australasian Club. The Premiers were made burgesses of the city. Mr. Deakin referred to the valuable elements of Scottish blood, which had contributed towards making the Australian nation. The Scots in Australia would recognise that more than courtesy prompted the honor of the Freedom of the city being conferred. Sir Joseph AVard said that t ie remarkable display of good feeling and hospitality extended to the Premiers would heip greatly the bond between the old and the new worlds. A Corporation luncheon was given to the Premiers, who all spoke. Dr. Jameson regretted that the labors of the Conference were-not so satisfactory as the Premiers hoped. He was confident the British people would eventually accept their views. A united Empire would only be achieved by the combination oi views of those favoring an idealistic materialistic Empire.

Received 9.41 p.m. May 13. LONDON, May 13. Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Mr. Bent attended - t-lie Gaelic Society concert at Queen’s Hall, and spoke during an interval in the programme. The former mentioned that in one whole settlement in Canada only Gaelic is

sj>oken. Mr. Bent preferred every Unionist to thankfully accept the colonial propositions if they emanated from the Government. These colonial proposals be dealt with as a nonparty question.

Earl Crewe, speaking at Cambridge, said an interchange of views on Imperial defence alone made the Conference a success, and had done much to justify the hope that more might yet he done for closer union. Regarding preference, the Government was placed where they were to keep the bridge in the interest of Australia’s institutions, the preservation of Scotland’s language, music and poetry. He .mentioned that Scottish women in Australia were foremost in charity, and Scotsmen were holders of the highest positions in the State. Air. AA 7 alter. Long, speaking at Preston, said Sir H. Campbell Baunerman had slandered Unionists by the suggestion used at the Conference as a party weapon. AA'liat had been done had been to emphasise the facts. .The Conference told them nothing new, but- undeniably carried a great controversy many miles further along the road to free -trade. The colonial Premiers entirely recognised the position. The Irish Council Bill was moderate, and doubtless a great many liberals were disappointed at tlio small scope of the Bill, but a considerable number thought it went far enough. He did not believe in matters of. constitutional change it was nq£ wise to go far ahead of party, a lid whether increasing self-government in Ireland, pr dealing with relations of thp Jjorcis and Commons, caution was needed in order to secure the party’s general support. \ Received 10.14 p.m., Alay 13. 1 LONDON, Alay 13. Sir AA'ilfricl-Laurier, at Gfay’s Inn, said British law was indeed a bond’ of Empire, securing to every one of tlie sovereign’s subjects his entire rights. Air Deakin, following with a .great speech, remarked how law-abiding all peoples pf tlio Empire were or would become. Amid its multitude of forms o government we find everywhere inits citizens an allegiance to principles derived from tlio Alotherland, Its great lawyers and their system r conseqiiently to-day their discussions "Inch otherwise they might forego to essay and when those present passed the loving cup he would see in that another symbol of the Conference now assembled in London, and all its symbolised concluded in emphasising and stimulating the memories of a great heritage, as arming the youn-' and growing States and tire Empire with courage, enabling them to face new conditions.and conquer whatever Umls and difficulties were in storo.

Press Association Tlw> yesterday. The colonial Premiers were received enthusiastically at Edi„bu[gh on Fri! A' oWcS jfsr'ai? jS&’TZ't ‘>v“" «■*» «"» hosnitalitv &o °i ( feehng, fellowship, the muesm.fa 1 ?- gOOd ' vIU extended to xcpicbentative men across ’ ing’andhis * more Lift! a -v ‘left bclle . f ;eial effect than' ordiht fe Id reference 'f6 ,C said 110, 'o of them able f "r ltl O'niiiscienco to endono , fol ' et(ill "hat the work <?■* - yeals . to come. Tlio tli r>“-responsible member;. q£ ?®venunentß 6f the British Isles ■H ! 1 ; el l'g°yerning dominions meeting •; * v9 n fcrence table, and exchange }dea§, even though they differed in matters of importance, must have the effect of giving- greater knowledge to each other of the difficulty and possibilities of overcoming them. Ho said New Zealand would stand shoulder, back to back, hand to lia:id, in endeavoring to put the different portions of tlio dominions .into chq indissoluble Empire.

New Zoalaud students, both at the University and Town Hall, in tho streets, and at tho railway station, greeted Sir Joseph Ward and farewelled him with Maori songs. Tho Scotsman, in a loading article, says Sir Joseph Ward’s speech was no rhetorical compliment, but a statement of weighty fact, following upon a series of other demonstrations in other parts of the Kingdom. It turtlier refers to the fact that Now Zealand sends over ono hundred students to Edinburgh University and asks Who call foretell the stiengtn, value, and influence of these young n on being there, and the knowledge thev carry away with them? It also remarks that New Zealand had paid perhaps tho greatest compliment by imitating tlio very names of the cvt> and chief features of tlioir topography, to which Sir JcJ-bpli-W nrd had alluded in the course of I>!S speech; Tho Scotsman says: ')« may be lievo Sir Joseph Wal'd that no nop - comers are more appreciated in these new lands, and none make greater nor more whole-hearted citizens in the Antipodes than those of our own own race and blood.” Sir Joseph Ward proceeded to Glasgow tho same night, and to Dumbarton on Saturday. At Denny s where a large gathering witnessed tlio launching of tho s.s. Maori, uuuy Ward christened her as she moved from the wavs, smashing a bottle in tho orthodox manner, amidst resounding cheers from the crowd assembled as tlio vessel glided gracofullv into the water. Immediately after tho launch Sir Joseph Hard addressed several hundred of Denny s workmen, who called for a speech. He complimented them upon the work and workmanship of the fleet of tho Union Company’s steamers built at Denny’s yards, which wore notably demonstrated in the Maori. The speed of tho steamer would enable the journey from Lyttelton to Wellington to he accomplished in nine hours, which was all-important to New Zealand travellers, and would enable them to join the express trains at both places with reasonable certainty., Ho alluded to tho enterprise of the Union Company, whose policy kept them well ahead in meeting the requirements of the public. At the luncheon, Mr. Denny proposed the toast of tho New Zealand Premier, in complimentary terms. Ho alluded to tho progress and development- of New Zealand, and expressed regret at Mr. Seddon’s death, who went through a similar ceremony a few years ago. Sir Joseph Ward, in acknowledging, said the colony would appreciate the kindly references to Mr. Seddon’s striking personality. who worked with unremitting vigor for the well-being of the colony and Empire. A presentation was made by Mr. Jas. Mills to Lady Ward of a memento of the ceremony, and a cabinet wbv Mr. Denny to Miss Ward, as a memento of the occasion* Mr. Denny proposed Mr. ivlills’ health. Ho naid a high compliment to the development of the Union Company , and its management.’ Mr. Mills said Denny’s had built 3S steamers for tlie Union Company. Mr. Mills, replying, said the policy of the directors was to keep ahead in matters connected with tlieir busiijas|i. In one way and another the company had passed through its hands 120 vessels, and.to-day owned 68, with a capacity of —.>0,000 tons. They were anxious to meet the requirements of the public, who had thoroughly supported them in every way possible. The whole party afterwards motored along the bank of Loeli Lomond to Arrochar, proceeding by steamer thence to Loch Long and Purack. and by train to Glasgow. Sir Joseph Ward leaves London on Mav 17th, proceeding in the Mooltan to Australia from Port Said