THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2088, 15 March 1889, Page 2

THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

(pee press association.)

London, Maroh 14.

The Prince of Wales presided at the Imperial Institute banquet last night, at which 300 were present.

In proposing the toast of prosperity so the Institute, the Prince of Wales said he regretted want of time and opportunity prevented him from visiting Australia. He felt the deepest interest m the welfare of of the colonies, however, and said he thought it was the duty of every British statesman to visit the colonies. In i,he course of a speech, m which he proposed the "Army and Navy,"i his Royal Highness said he recognised m the efforts made by the colonies m defence matters, not only a desire to protect themselves, but to assist m protecting the Empire. The Duke of Cambridge responded for the Army, and Lord Chas. Beresford for the Navy. Ihe Prince of Wales m the course of his speech proposing prosperity to the Institute, said he believed the establishment of the Institute had greatly assisted m bringing about an improved feeling between the colonies and the Mother Country. While he hoped the proposed amalgamation of the Colonial and Imperial Institutes would soon be brought about he disclaimed any desire on the part of the latter to absorb the former. The Earl of Carnarvon proposed "The United Empire," and m the course of his speech said no one desired to precipitate a closer union between Great Britain and her colonies or m any respect to curtail the autonomy of the latter. Lord Knutsford, replying to the toast, said he was convinced there was much beyond mere sentiment binding the colonies to Great Britain.