BANQUET TO SIR H. B. LOCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 152, 26 May 1884, Page 3

BANQUET TO SIR H. B. LOCH.

May 23. The banquet to Sir H. B. Loch was a great success. Upwards of 200 leading Australasian colonists were present, and also a number of English nobility and all the AgentsGeneral, with the exception of Sir Dillon Bell and Sir A. Blyth. The Earl Roseberry presided, and m proposing the toast of the evening, spoke emphatically on the duty of ah Australasian Governor to try and draw closer the bonds which united the colonies with the Empire. He expressed a hope that Sir Henry Loch had received peremptory instructions from the Imperial Government as to the attitude he should assume m respect to the Recidiviste question and that these were framed m a spirit m accord with the feelings and aspirations of the colonies. He denied that any political school m England " entertained a hostile spirit towards . the colonies, Sir Henry Loch, m replying, said that the problem of how best to maintain the, connection between the Mother Country and her colonies required early and most careful consideration. He believed that the establishment of closer bonds of union would tend to the better welfare and happiness of the Empire. He proposed the toast of " Prosperity to the Colonies."" Sir Saul Samuel replied, saying the colonies were already united by the best ties to the Empire, and that the time was not yet ripe for any scheme of Imperial federation. Mr Murray Smith also replied, saying that he was personally sanguine that federation would soon be accomplished. He proposed the health of the Earl of Roseberry, thanking him warmly for the interest he had displayed m important problems affecting colonial interests, and especially for his action m regard to the Recidiviste question. Lord Roseberry, m reply, reiterated the statement as to the interest he took m the welfare of the colonies.