COMMONWEALTH PREMIER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 181, 9 January 1915, Page 4

COMMONWEALTH PREMIER.

CIVIC UKCKI'TIDN AT WELLINGTON. GREAT ENTHUSIASM. By Telegraph.—Per Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Tlie welcome given to the Right HonY A. Fisher, Prime Minister of lAustraliSj. on his arrival in Wellington this evening,. was of a most cordial character. •Mr < . Fisher came by train, accompanied by, Mr. James Boyd (one of the Federal Opposition members), Mr. Veiteli, M.P.J Mr. Hindmarsh, M.P., and Mr. Rigg, the. three last-mentioned gentlemen having joined the Australian visitors at Palnin erston North. The party were met at the railway station by Messrs. McKenzie (president of the Trades and. Labor Council), D. McLaren, and J. H< Holland, and immediately proceeded to.'the Town Hall, where a civic reception took .place in the Council Chamber* Afterwards there was a public meeting' of welcome in the large hall. Both functions were marked by con* siderable enthusiasm. The visitors were received by the Mayor and Council, and' the civic chamber was crowded by members, of the general public. There was a large attendance at the public meet*. ing, to which a laudatory address was]1 presented to Mr Fisher on behalf of the combined Labor organisations of thi§ city. The proceedings at both gatherings were of a most enthusiastic character, and at the public meeting he was ' frequently cheered during a. speed', in which he strongly urged that complete reciprocal relations should be established between New Zealand and Australia. A feature of the meeting was the demonstration that was made when Sir Joseph and Lady Ward entered the body, of the hall. At the conclusion of the" civic reception Mr. Fisher and Mr. Boyd were met by Mr. C. Foster (the Chief); and other officers of the Scottish Society, of Wellington, and presented with badges as honorary chieftains of the organisation.