THE COLONIAL SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1918, 29 June 1869, Page 3

THE COLONIAL SOCIETY.

From the AiUtralasian. 1 A very sensible suggestion appeared in the leading columns of The Argus a few days ago, relative to the Colonial Society recently formed in London. It was proposed that the Government of Victoria should solicit the co-operation of the other colonies in procuring specimens of Australian products and. manufactures to transmit as a contribution from this part of the British Empire to the Colonial Museum, which it is one of the objects of the society to form in the metropolis. This, project would have been one of easy accomplishment, and the benefits to be derived from it would have greatly been in excess of what could be expected to accrue from the small outlay required. The matter has, we are informed, been brought under the notice of the Chief Secretary in an official shape, and he has declined on behalf of the Government to obtrude in any way on the operations of the Colonial Society. A body of gentlemen in London have done for us what it would have cost us some trouble and money to achieve for ourselves—'namely, established a centre,of colonial life in the mother country, and as a state we decline to co-operate. Mr M'Cullocli may have good reasons for refusing to recognise new association in the way proposed, but they are not easily detected. However, as the political Jupiter is not to be roused to action it becomes a question for all interested in the welfare of the colony to consider whether the same end cannot be attained by humbler agency. Is there not enough patriotism extant here to induce the formation of a Victorian Society to accomplish that which Jupiter declines 1 If such an institution were formed hero, to assist in the way suggested and in various other directions the objects of the London organisation, it would not be long before the neighboring colonies would follow our example. The revenue needed would be trifling, as the main aim of such a bx-anch society would be the collection of articles, most of which would be gratuitously proffered, for transmission to what would prove a permanent exhibitioxx in. the centre of the world. That such an association will be established here sooner or later we have no doubt, but it would be a feather in the cap of Victoria to be first in .the field. There is px-ofitable work to be done in this way, and at this moment, if men possessed of influence and public spirit will take it in hand.