GREAT BRITAIN AND HER COLONIES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 97, 8 May 1880, Page 2

GREAT BRITAIN AND HER COLONIES.

The correspondent of the Auckland Star telegraphs the following, which shows that the interest of leading politicians in England with respect to the colonies is in no way on the decline The election speeches of the great political leaders contain many allusions to the Colonies, Mr. Gladstone and Lord Hartington declaring that the best way of maintaing the loyalty of the Colonies was by giving them the freest Constitution, and making them feel bound by a voluntary tie which England was proud to preserve, to do all it can to help them in time of danger, and te defend them with all the force of-the British army in time of war. Earl Granville declared that the bond between England and her colonies was one based on common interests and common feelings, which they would never attempt to hold by force if the Colonies themselves wished to relax that bond. The pursuance of that policy had strengthened the good feeling existing with the colonies. He added, with regard to New Zealand—- “ It was my duty to carry into effect, contrary to violent opposition on the part of the Colonial Government, a policy which had been announced by the Duke of Buckingham when my predecessor, but which he had failed to carry into effect. It was not a pleasant matter to be attacked in and out of Parliament by competent persons telling one that what he was doing would have the effect of ruining New Zealand, and separating it from the mother country, but I persisted and my colleagues persisted because we knew we were right. What has been the result ? Since the creation of the Colony of New Zealand there has never been such a period of order, peace, good-will towards the mother coul^^P”