New-York tribune., 1901-01-06
MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN
RECEIVED AT A DINNER OF THE AU-
STRALIAN SOCIETY-H. w. BEABODY
SAYS SUBSIDY BILL WOULD
FAIL OF ITS PURPOSE.

ITO be a truly great nation must have a
much greater merchant marine than we have at
the present tine." declared Henry w. Peabody. Of
the firm of Henry w. Peabody e. Co., at the dinner
OF the Australian Society, held last night in COM
mernoration of federation in Australia This senti-
ment loudly applauded.
The banquet hall at Sherrys. where the dinner
held, adorned with the flags representing
the different countries under the dominion of the
Queen. Behind the guest table the new flag
of Australia, a white field with the Union Jack
in the upper righthand corner, and two blue bars
crossing the field at right angles. bearing in them
six white stars representing the States of the
confederation. About thirty native born Austria
lians sat at the tables and with them were 12O
guests
Augustus r. Gilman. president of the society,
after proposing a toast to the President of the
United States and another to the Queen. spoke on
the toast. THE Commonwealth of Australia" In
the of his remarks ne traced the history of
this colony from the earliest settlement down TO
the present time.
He followed by Sir Percy Sanderson Consul
General for Great Britain Sir Percy dwet largely
on the extent of the British Empire and its re
sponsibilities a world Power. He was followed
by Henry w. Peabody. who spoke on the Com
mercial Relations Between the United States and
Australia" In the course of his remarks he called
attention TO what he described as the dwarfed
dition of the United States merchant marine. In
this connection he criticised the Ship Subsidy BILL
and said that he thought as it stands 1t would fail
OF its professed purpose. In explanation he con-
tinued
lian trade was under American auspices. but since
men t,;hI several Engnsh steamship companies have
petition with the old american firms for freight to
exports for the year ending June 40 100 was s2S
7250OO and imports from Australasia, s5.4sSo00
The Shipping and Subsidy bill now before Con-
gress proposes TO admit small group of foreign
built vessels to registry, upon condition that the
owners shall build in this country a similar
amount or tonnage and to restrict the purchase of
other vessels to be made by our shipbuilders, al
ready full of orders for warships and other craft
which are more profitable than merchant steam
ships. Shipbuilders will not compete with for
egn builders either in price for prompt de-
livery.
It is to be hoped that Congressman will not enact
bill that will fail of it's professed object. but that
they will allow. for a term, the purchase of YES
sells built. or to he built abroad. upon condition
of duplication in this country. and that they will
provide that when registered and under contract
for mileage subsidy the ownership shall be held
actually and continuously by American citizens.
The American flag was familiar sight in the
haroors and on the coasts OF Australia in earlier
@NaIIolsat p!Ioe ana common sense should
for investment and enterprise In this neglected in
dustry.
To be truly great nation must have a much
greater merchant marine than we had in 1851
in the foreign trade than to-day.
The following message was received from the
Queen OF England:
Osborne January I. 1901.
To President Australian Society New-York
Queen THANKS Australians In New-York for their
loyal message OF congratulations the birth OF
the commonwealth
This message vas also received
Jan. 3. 1901. Sydney.
To Gilman. President Australian Society. New
York.
The Governor-GGeneral OF the new nation OF this
continent welcomes your congratulations, and hopes
that the future Will show how closely Of Brit
ish blood will be associated in the history of
Empire, which the list inst assumed a
aspect. HOPETOUN. Iovernor-6Seneral.
At the guest table some OF the others besides
those mentioned Congressman William II.
Douglas. George Gray Ward, president OF ST.
Georges Society; Thomas II. Bart!ngdale. presi-
dent of the Canadian Society; Julien T. Davies,
president of the ST Dayid's Society; James A.
William Butler Duncan. vice-presdent OF the ST.
Andrews Society; William X Parsons. Or. j. a.
Irwin, president Of the British Universities So
cety, and Walter ]. Travis.