OVERSEAS VISITORS IN LONDON

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 332, 20 June 1911, Page 5

OVERSEAS VISITORS IN LONDON

ANOTHER BANQUET. MR. FISHER'S DIFFIDENCE. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright, London, June 18. The British Empire League and the Science Guild gave a banquet to vcrsea visitors at the Savoy. The Duke of Devonshire presided, and three hundred guests were present. Dr. Warren, president of Magdalen College, Oxford, referred to Mr. Fisher's refusal to accept an Oxford degree. He though the sentiment of Burns was right; yet the guinea stamp was not to be despised. Mr. Fisher replied that it was not owing to false modesty, but because of his youth and other disabilities that he had asked 1 to be excused from accepting the honor. The conference, he said, 'had already been fruitful of good results. The British Government had invited the delegates to its very fireside, and asked them to come right inside to learn what it intended doing for the protection of all parts of the Empire. The Australian Government would give the proposal to establish a solar observatory cordial and favorable consideration.

JOURNALISTS ENTERTAINED. London, June 18. The Empire Press Union gave a banquet to oversea journalists, at which Lord Burrham presided.. Lord Curzon, in proposing the toast of the guests, said lie believed tnat the Imperial idea was progressing, and that the scattered units of the Empire were drawing closer. He had seen the fear expressed that the conference had not reached expectations, but Sir Joseph Ward, who had put forward, with intrepid brevity, some proposals which were not accepted; informed him tliat the conference marked a great advance. Mr. fleoffrev Fairfax, of the Sydney Morning Herald, responded to the toast.