SIR JOHN TAVERNER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 234, 21 February 1913, Page 5

SIR JOHN TAVERNER.

FAREWELL DINNER. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright London, February 20. There was a large gathering at the Trocadero Restaurant to bid farewell to Sir John Taverner, Admiral Truscott presiding. The chairman expressed the general regret at the departure of Sir John Taverner. The latter, responding, referred to his j good relations with Sir George Reid. I ' It was untrue that the Agents-General ! worked at cross purposes. It would be a mistake to abolish the Agents-General, whose duties did not clash with the Federal representation. He might fairly say Victoria had no national debt, because the railways represented the money bori rowed. He suggested an Imperial Emigration Department, under a responsible Minister, to co-operate with the overseas Dominions. He advocated the extension of boy emigration, as thousands of likely boys were wasted in the Motherland. Lord Emmott, representing the Government, proposed the toast of the Empire.

A LOYAL SPEECH. BRITAIN NOT A RACK NUMBER. Received 20, 'J.SO p.m. London. February 20. The attendance at Sir John Taverner's banquet was 250, including Sir \Y. HallJones, Sir J. G. Ward, and the Hon. T. Mackenzie. Lord Emmott stated that there were no signs that British enterprise was dead. The Mother Country was not yet a. back number. The habit of "crabbing"* old England tended to arouse di-respect among the daughter nations. Britain had received with real emotion the recent offers of help to bear the burdens o f defence, which were magnificently generous.