27 APRIL 1907, Page 18

The Colonial Premiers were entertained at luncheon on Wednesday by

the Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannernian, who presided, welcomed the Premiers in a cordial speech in which he declared that there was neither Government nor Opposition nor party at the banquet, aud, with a graceful acknowledgment of its source, appropriated Mr. Bulfour's definition of the relationship between the Home Government and the great Governments overseas. It was not the relationship of partners, but the family relationship, and since they all derived their very life from the same source—independent representative government—it was peculiarly fitting that such a meeting should take place at the very fountain-head from which that great idea sprang. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, in responding to the toast, indulged in an historic retrospect, and explained how he had once cherished, but come to abandon, the ambition to take a seat in the British Parliament. In conclusion, he laid stress on the good influence in promoting harmony which could be exerted by Members of the British Parliament who had come from the daughter-nations. General Botha also made an excellent speech, in which be eulogised the elasticity, adaptability, and flexibility of the British Constitution.