BRITISH M.P. PARTY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 99, 30 August 1913, Page 7

BRITISH M.P. PARTY.

IL\n:RTAL\E!) AT . BELLAMY'S [Pee Piiess Abrociation. | Wellington, August 29. Tli* New Zealand. Govprnmpnt en-, tertairied tho members of the visiting British Parliamentarians at Bellamy's to-day. In proposing the toaet o' •'The Visitors/' jMr ejjpresser 1 pleasure in welcoming Lord;;Emmoti and his party. ;: It,was a good, thinp for colonial statesmen to visit Eng land but it was t cren more dmportaul for Imperial statesmen to visit th<

overseas Dominions. He did not want to break down any sudden change ir. Hie constitution of the Empire, hut ho di 1 want to see every' part of the Empire joined by ties as slight as silk but stronger than steel. Lord Emm'ott, replying, said thai he was glad to again meet Sir Joseph Ward, who was one of the best known Xew Zealanders in England. He referred to New Zealand's gift of o battleship and to the stimulus that the action had given to Imperial mat ters throughout the Empire. He observed that the committee of the Privj Council had been increased from five to six, and saw no reason why New Zealand should not bo represented thereon. Real progress was being made towards Imperial unity, and he hoped that all would work together to make the Empire approximate as closely as possible to their ideals..

Mr B. McMaster also responded tc the toast. He congratulated Xew Zealand on her progress and prosperity. The party would increase their knowledge by the visit. They did not require to be assured of New Zealand's loyalty and patriotism. There ' was no people on the face of the earth who appreciated New Zealand's patriotism more than the people of England.

Sir Joseph Ward proposed the health of the visitors in a well-chosen speech. He said that New Zealand was anxious, for the unity of the Empire, and he hoped that England would push forward the laying of a Stateowned cable across the Atlantic so. af to cement the connection between Britain and the overseas Governments. The Hon. T. Lough, responding, said that he spoke on behalf of both the political parties at Home. There was never any idea on the part of the Home Government of.doing anything but justice to the overseas Dominions. They Imped to bring the cable charges from England to New Zealand dowr from 3s per word to 3d a word. England was stil! suffering Front the mistake;-- of the Middle Ages. New Zealand had started off with a clean sheet. Thai was why they were so prosperous.

Sir S. Stephen and Mr W. Crooke also referred to the apparent prosperity of the Dominion.

The gathering concluded with th National Anthem.

The party left for Sydney by the Maunganui to-night and wore fare welled at the wharf by a number oJ members of the House.