COLONIAL PREMIERS AT HOME

Hastings Standard, Issue 357, 26 June 1897, Page 3

COLONIAL PREMIERS AT HOME

♦ (I'er I'n■•«>• Association. —Coj'ijrif/fit.) London, June 25. Lord C'arrington has arranged with the colonial Premiers to visit Mr Gladstone at Hawarden Castle on .July 10th. Mr Reid and Mr Seddon dined with the Inner Templars on Wednesday, and "jn honor of the occasion they departed from the previously unbroken rule against proposing toasts, the special health of the colonies being honored first. A conference between the Premiers and the officials of the Colonial Office was held yesterday. The Earl of Selbourne (Parliamentary Secretary), Messrs Edward Wingfield, C.B.,and J. Bramston, C.B. (assistant UnderSecretaries) were present, and the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain presided. The latter, in the course of a two hours' speech said he was pleased with the response of the colonies to his invitation to be represented at the Jubilee, and hoped the conference would have a practical outcome with regard to tbe subjects to be discussed. He explained the views of the British Government with regard to trade relations with the colonies, mail and cable subsidies, the administration of the New Hebrides, defence questions, and the renewal of the naval agreements. No discussion followed the speech. At Mr Reid's suggestion the conference is being adjourned till Monday to enable the Premiers to discuss privately. The group were photographed" for inclusion in the Queen's Jubilee album. All the colonial Premiers, with the exception of Mr Reid, were entertained at breakfast by Sir John Lubbock. A distinguished "company was present, including Professors Bryce and Lecky. Lord C'arrington entertains the colonial Premiers on July 11th. Mr Reid to-day lunched with Lord Hopetoun, and lunches with Lady Duff, widow of the late Governor of New South Wales, on Sunday, and with Lord Eosebery on the 28th ; afterwards he will be banqueted by the Provost of Johnston, in Scotland, his birthplace, aud on July 18th he and Sir Wilfred Laurier (Premier of Canada) will be the guests of the Paris Chamber of Commerce. Mr Reid returns to Sydney on July 21st.