BANQUET TO PREMIERS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8790, 18 April 1907, Page 2

BANQUET TO PREMIERS.

interesting Speeches. V Press Association.—Copyright. London, April 17. Addressing a Radical political banquet at Holborn Restaurant, which all the Premiers and Colonial Ministers attended, Sir Henry Campbcll-Banuermau, who presided, declared it was a slander to assert that the Radicals were "Little Euglanders," permeated by narrow and hostile views regarding the colonies. All favoured the maintenance of the Empiro on the principle of freedom, independence,* and equal justice, which was the very breath of its being. If not continued on these lines a' : good many of usj,would wish that it not be continued at all. He indicated that the King's first act on his return would be to stretch out the right hand of fellowship to the Premiers and to express the feoling of affectionate devotion and . recognition (1 their great services- which ho entertained. (Cheers.) Mr Haldane, who succeeded Sir Henry Campbell-Baunerman in .Jtho chair when the latter was compelled to return to Parliament, proposed the toast of '' Our Guests." He commented on cause.) and principles going deeper than party. The Empire was beyond controversy; it pos- • sessed an unwritten and unrigid Constitution, able to develop and adapt itself to circumstances, a Constitution which over-sea was refashioned yet still the same, preserving to all the King's subjects conscious enjoyment of/he fullest freedom. The Empire rested not on force, but on common ends and com- . mon purposes. Liberty was the bond holding the Empire together. Mr Haldane, adverting to the Transvaal Constitution, welcomed Premier Botha. He and the General Staff intended to confer with Mr Botha shortly on the mutual defence of the Empire. 'Apparently the early conferment of a constitution on tho Transvaal seemed. to be in tho very nature of things to those appreciating tho self-developing character of ' the British Constitution, which may give us great things. It may give us Imperial Councils and possibly great varieties of institutions. Mr Deakin, who was warmly greeted, responded. He said Mr Haldane had spoken with professional and personal enhtusiasm of the Constitution, but after all tho only trace of a permanent basis of union lay deeper than the Constitution—it lay in the people and the character of the people from whom the Constitution sprang. Without the acceptance of tho principle of equal freedom even British Constitution would bo vain. He agreed with" Mr Haldane that they must develop and adapt themselves to the necessities of the time. He described the anomalous position of tho Conference, its members belonging to a body without status. Ho hoped' tliey would be able to take some steps, 'lf short steps, towards a better working policy.' Australia "needed population, and lie hoped the Conference would devise machinery for securing her. as the homo of a British population. There was no loyalty like the loyalty of free men, and no bond like "'the bond of free men. Upon this depended the greatness and future of the Empire, The gold caskets wore cherished because they bore the imprint of tho Motherlaud. The Premiers were grateful for the reaffirmation of tho ties of blood.

Sir Wilfrid Latirier described the previous conferences as spasmodic and' disjointed and appended to ceremonial 'events. ; .The ; present -gathering was unique, as itmiarjjdd-a new departure and demonstrated to' the world that the Empire was a livingentity. He paid an eloquent tribute to the late Mr Seddon. Though the hopes of ardent enthusiasts who wished to bind the future by putting upon the 'present intolerable conditions wore jierhapis dnreaiisablp, there would' be ho failure connected with the Conference. Ho was delighted to recpiv.o Dr. Jameson’s assurance that ' South Africa would ho federated before the next Conference. Mr Botha, who sat next to Lord Roberts, made au Imperial loyal optimistic speech regarding the prospects of the white races in South Africa, Ho toasted the Home Government, and declared that the whole of the''people fu the .Transvaal grasped 'the hand-of freedom'extended to them and would not let it go again. (Olieers.) Mr Churchill, in responding, expressed j.lfe hope that liis friends at the Conference would return convinced that there is no suitLcolonial party in Britain,! Kai Ora. In connection S of conferring the freedom of tno , Sir J. Cf. Ward was greeted in the streets with shouts of Kia Ora.