FOR COLONIALS IN THE OLD COUNTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8545, 27 September 1907, Page 3

FOR COLONIALS IN THE OLD COUNTRY.

A NEW IMPERIAL CLUB. (From Our London Correspondent.) LONDON, August IG. Colonial visitors to this country, men and women, who move •in the society in their own land often complain of the somewhat chilly reception they meet with here in the Mother Country. Numerous clubs are open to them, but there are formalities and dela3*s that last for months, by which time the colonial may be preparing for his homeward journey, it is hoped, however, that the Imperial Colonial Club and Overseas Union, which is about to be formed, will go a long way towards meeting this difficulty. The Club has for its objects:— (1). The extension of good feeling and cordial understanding between Great Britain and her colonies, and between London, as the capital of the Empire, and the English-speaking peoples overseas. (2). The entertainment of all persons from the colonies, and members of other English-speaking peoples overseas who are in England on any political mission connected with the affairs of the colonies or the commercial reciprocations of the world. (3). The reception of all foreign ambassadors, ministers, delegates, and rulers who may be in London on missions affecting the colonies or the friendly reciprocity of nations. It is alio suggested that a reception and conference should be held each year to discuss and consider the question of inter-colonial commerce and the progress of nations. The membership of the Club will be limited to 1,500 habitual members, of whom 650 may be ladies, and 1,000 oversea members, of whom .300 may be ladies. Negotiations are in progress for the renting of historic premises in Piccadilly facing the Green Park, and near the Ritz Hotel; and there will be provided handsome reception rooms, dining rooms, card jrooms, billiard room, smoking lounge, writing rooms, reference library, tea rooms, dressing rooms, etc. There will be fifty bedrooms available for the use ot members. It is intended that the institution shall be conducted as a first-class West-end social club. Mrs Hwfa Williams is the organising president of the Ladies Social Committee, and among the vice-pre-sidents are the Earl of Kintore, the Djchess of Rutland, tiu Marchioness of Linlithgow, the Marchioness of Hertford, Dowager Marchioness of Headford, the Marchioness of Donegal, the Countess of Drogheda, the Countess of Hardwicke, the Countess of Mar, the Countess of Antrim, the Countess of Dundonald, the Countess of Minto, the Countess of Denbigh, - the Countess of Sassilis, the Countess *"~of Kingston, the Countess of Kin--noul, Lady Edward Spencer Churchjll, Viscountess Castlereagh, Lady -Helen Forbes, Lady Blythswood, Lady Knightly of Fawsley, Lady L!angattock, Lady de Blaquiere, the Hon. Mrs Algernon Hanbury-Tracey, the Hon. Mrs Alfred Lyttelton, Lady Clarke, Mrs Twining, and Miss Janotha. The Club has the support of, -amongst others, the Hon. Victor Nelson Hood, Sir Charles Morrison Bel!, Sir Bar't'e Frere, Lieutenant- ■ Colonel Fox, Colonel 11. Charles■wirth, and Colonel GcrJon Money, C.B. It is hoped that the Club house will be opened by January next .year.