Colonials in London.

Manawatu Herald, 21 June 1902, Page 2

Colonials in London.

The Agent-General (Mr W. P. Reeves) presided at the annual New Zealand dinner held at the Holborn Restaurant.

Amongst those present were Lord Stratheona, Sir Edwyn Dawes, the -various Agent-Generals, Sir Westby Perceval, Sir Walter Bailer, Sir Montague Nelson, Colonels Oradook, Sommerville, Porter, Pole-Penton and Pearce and Captain Seddon. There were 850 guests. Colonel Cradock responded to the toast of the “ Forces of the Colony.” Lord Onslow proposed “Prosperity to New Zealand.” He referred to the unexampled success of advanced legislation in the colony, showing the compatibility of Radicalism and Imperialism. Ho said that Britain’s forces at the front numbered 315,000, but New Zealand’s contribution was proportionately equal to 380,000 by England. Hq said there would be a liberal resettling of the Boors, but it would ba more liberal still to loyalists. . Mr Seddon received a magnificent reception at the New Zealand dinner. His speech bristled with statistics showing the prosperity of New Zealand. He spoke also of the stability and safety of mining fin'd other investments, and the beneficent results of legislation. There was, he said, little crime, and no poverty in New Zealand. Love of the Motherland, and nothing sordid, prompted the preferential trade resolution of Parliament, and its communication to Mr Chamberlain in December was proof of it not being connected with the corn tax. He avowed himself a fair trader. American exports to New Zealand during the past' five years had quintupled, but there was ■■nothing, apart from kerosene, to prevent Great' Britain from supplying four-fifths of these goods. The disproportion between England’s imports and exports was reflected in the remittances of gold sent abroad. The speech made at Pittsburg some months ago by Mr Shaw (Secretary to the United States Treasury), in which he prophesied American domination of the Pacific, was proof of New Zealand’s foresight in regard to the annexation of the Cook Islands, Hia motto was M watchful," So was

optimistic as'to the willingness of the 4 colonies giving preference to the Motherland. The basis of his proposals was that he wished to help the Motherland. He was asking for nothing, but anything given oven indirectly strengthening the colonies would equally strengthen the Empire. The Times says Without prejudicing the practicability of the arrangement, Mr Seddon's resolution of December (regarding preferential trade) embodies a generous offer.