Federal Governor-General.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue XXXXV, 7 December 1903, Page 4

Federal GovernorGeneral.

At a banquet to Lord Northcote, Governor-Gtmeral ek-ct of the Commonwealth, in London on Wednesday, 280 representative persons were prssent, including the Agents-Gctier-nl. The Right Hon-. A. Lyttelton, Secretary of State for the Colonies, in proposing Lord N'orthcote's health, 'said the latter haid been appointed at a time of great opportunities. It was possible in the next five years to do or lojwe undone much having a far reaching effect upon the greatest of our national aspirations namely," how t'o maintain- amd increase the sympathy, and affection, atari mutual interests of the great States composing the Empire. At the present time many felt misgivings about thfe Motherland in face of the devouring alertness of America, Germany, and France, but the ltcst cure for national melancholy was to look around the Empire's colonies. Old age need not fear any inertia when fortified by youth. "If we reject the idea of unity of the Empire we may fear decay ; If we recog>nise the necessity of drawing) th« bonds closer we will secure the secret of perpetual youth." Mr Littleton wished he could follow Mr Ohaniterlain's example, and visit the colonies, but he was much too j flung in office to fyazard the possibility of such a visit. It would be beneficial if the Colonial Office staff could make acquaintance with great problems at first hand. He referred to Lord Northcote as the descendant of a fine old Devon stock, which had given so many bold, roving adventurers of the Empire. He h-aid done admirable work in Bombay ; it was l "" vorth y task to represent the oldest throne of Christendom among the youngest, yet greatest, of the States of the Empire said he t Vf to see -good friends at the Colonial Office and in Austraasia welcome Mr Lyttelton and vit'r 88 UK-y camu iQ flannels wth an eleven. llin m-vv duties f , enti r?' y to those 01 an Indum Governor, and he felt K'rave anxiety. a. s h< . was not * [ scious that he possessed any parti- ' a'" qualifications for the post. A .xjvtmor s position was strictiv flefined by the Commonwealth Constitution but within its scope there ™ '™ m to r( -' nc ler some service to the Empire. He recognised He Tr i. len,wr fol ' some time. Ht would aim to promote closer unon Ix-twcvn the Motherland and the co-lon res, and when all desired that surely means would be devised for the attainment of the object Lord Sel borne, First Lord of the -Vdi.iralty, proposing the prosperity of Austialia, said the secret of the future would depend on an united Empire. He hoped Australia, as a gswit continent, would not forget the sea, which was -tjhe guarantee of us mdejiendence, aind the secret of its strength.