SOUTH AFRICAN UNION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 205, 8 December 1910, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN UNION

MESSRS. FISHER AND FOWLDS FAREWELLED. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright. Capetown, December 0. The Labor Party gave a conversazione for the purpose of farewelling Messrs. Fowlds and Fisher. Several Labor members were present. The chairman said they were interested in the Australian Government, it being the first time in the history of representative Government that a man from their own ranks had shown they were capable of legislating as well as others. Mr. Fisher, replying, referred to the disorganisation and conflicting views held by Laborites in different parts of South Africa, and emphasised the need of unity and a coherent policy. THE FINAL FESTIVITIES. Received 7, 10.50 p.m. Capetown, December 7.

There was an influential' attendance at the Chamber of Commerce farewell banquet to.Messrs. Fisher and Fowlds. Mr. Fisher, responding to the toast of his ;health, commended the South Africans for their unitary Constitution, but he thought that trade arrangements would not help closer union. He dwelt on the urgency of Australian defence. Mr. Fisher also paid a tribute to the South Africans' earnestness, which had made the Union successful.

Mr. Fowlds suggested the possibility of a great Southern Federation, with a single naval plan. Mr. Burton, Minister of Native Affairs, said that if the Empire could be knitted by artificial bonds, it would be through the interchange of such visits as these. The keynote of the speeches was- the closer union through freedom. DUCAL XMAS GREETINGS. When passing Capetown, the Duke of Connaught ''wirelessed" his Christmas greetings to the citizens.