THE PREMIERS AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 7 May 1907, Page 3

THE PREMIERS AT HOME.

♦ HONORED AT MANCHESTER. London, Mav 5. The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Connaught, Foreign Ambassadors, the Agents-General, and Mr. Rudyard Kipling were present at the Royal Academy banquet in honor of the Premiers. The toast "Dominions lieyond the Seas" was substituted for the usual one of "Literature and Science."'

Sir E. Poynter A.K.A., President of the Royal Academy, proposing the toast, referred lo the artistic bodies of Australia. It.seemed certain that the colonies soon have national art of their own, taking, perhaps, unexpected developments.

Mr Deakin, responding, said th it already they had something native, no. v merely imitative, but initiative. Astralia labored under unexpected artistic disabilities. T'lie original se.tLrs were strangers in a strange lanil, weighed down with a deep-seated memories of the Old Country, and blind to the fascination of the new. Hence the unexpected note of* melancholy. This false Australian art must look forward, not backward. The vigour of the people, combined with stimulating, exhilarating sunshine and atmosphere, boundless natural resources and beauties, yielded deeper qualities under the inspiration oi hcry faith in the destiny of their country. Mr Winston Churchill and Captain Guest, representing the Colonial Oiiice, accompanied Sir J. G. Ward, Sir 11. Bond, Mr Moor, and Mr Botha to Manchester, where they were presented with the freedom of tile city at the Town Hall.

The ceremony was followed by a luncheon.

The speeches emphasised the necessity ot developing trade between Lancashire and the colonies.

Sir Joseph Ward made an earnest appeal for reciprocity, warning his hearers not to neglect German competition.

SPEECHES BY SIR J. G. WARD.

Received 6th, 9.37 pan. London, May (i.

The Manchester reception was wonderfully enthusiastic. The Mayor, when presenting the Premiers with the freedom of the city, stated that two millions of people within a radius of ten miles watched the proceedings with the deepest sympathy and interest. The ceremony was not only a personal tribute, but also proof of affectionate brotherly feeling towards oversea communities'.,

Sir J. G. Ward, on behalf of the Premiers, acknowledged the extraordinary demonstration ot welcome , which tje colonists' warmly reciprocated. There was scarcely a family in the United Kingdom, without relations In the great colonies. The recipients did not regard the presentation of the freedom as an empty form, but as an emblem of the affectionate regard of a worhl-famed city for the oversea communities. Such events increased colonists' pride that they were living under a glorious ling representing strength power and freedom.

The Mayor proposed the toast of the guests at the luncheon. Sir J. (J. Ward, in responding, regretted that time did not permit of a visit to the Canal which had brought Manchester into direct contact with the shipping and commerce of the world.

New Zealand was able to testify to the advantages of direct trade with tie famous centre of commerce. The late Mr Seddon, his distinguished predecessor, worked incessantly to ensure direct communication, and nobody had done more to strengthen the ties of the Em plre. It was vitally necessary that both the Motherland and the colonies should develop trade, and nothing ought to be left undone to secure closer.tradc union. While it was possible to admire Germany's energetic efforts to acquire trade abroad, yet if the British flag was to remain in the ascendant as carriers, it ■would be unwise to ignore the endeavours of Continental rivals to usurp British trade. British merchants ought to support British shipping everywhere, thereby placing trade on a sounder basis. He emphasized the universal kindness shown the Premiers by all parties. Although in preference they had not succeeded at the Conference, the Premiers fully recognised Britain's right to control her own fiscal policy, just as the colonies exercised a similar right in their territories. He denied that the Premiers experienced any rudeness.