COLONIAL PREMIERS AT HOME

Hastings Standard, Issue 369, 10 July 1897, Page 3

COLONIAL PREMIERS AT HOME

♦ - - A BANQUET TO ME SEDDON. (P<v Press Association. —Qnpijnrjht.) London, July 9. A banquet, organised by Mr W. P. Reeves, was tsndered to the Eight Hon. E. J. Seddon at the Holborn Restaurant. Sir .James Ferguson presided. Amongst those present were Mr Thomas Mackenzie, of New Zealand. A contingent of 800 guests sat down to dinner, the majority of whom are interested in the New Zealand produce trade. The viands were largely composed of New Zealand produce. Mr Seddon, in replying to the toast of his health, said he was gratified to find the Maori section of the contingent present. He would he no party to a huckstering Eegal maintenance of the Empire. It was imperative that something should be done to preserve British trade with the colonies, especially when foreigners were forcing out colonial products by means of obsolete treaties ; these were injurious to the Empire, and ought to be renounced. Improved means of communication were needed, and a Pacific cable essential. There was nothiny to prevent a 25 days' service from Liverpool. The foreign subsidies granted to steamers was merely an indirect way of subsidising trade. It was the duty of the Governments to see that the British capital invested in mining opeiations in the colonies was invested in legitimate channels. The Maoris danced a haka before the guests, amidst great applause. FURTHER BANQUETTING. Lonpon, July 9. The Premiers were banquetted by the Cordwainers' Company. The Duke of Devonshire, who was amongst the guests, said the present colonial troops were a revelation, and hitherto unrecognised in connection with the Imperial forces. The Hon. J. Chamberlain said the dominant note of the -Jubilee celebrations was the supreme obligation for obtaining the unity of the Empire. It was to the interest of our colonies as well as the mother country to strengthen the ties binding the Empire. The federation of Australia and the South African states would be the first step towards the federation of the Empire. The colonies must decide when they desired to share the Imperial privileges and responsibilities. The Fabian Society entertained the Eight Hon. B. J. Seddon at luncheon. Mr Seddon, raplyiug to the toast of his health, claimed that progressive legislation had increased the wealth, contentment, and industrial prosperity of New Zealand.