THE PROPOSED INTERCOLONIAL CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2009, 13 October 1869, Page 2

THE PROPOSED INTERCOLONIAL CONFERENCE.

Writing on this subject, the Age observes - It does not require much consideration to arrive at the conclusion that no conference in Loudon should be recognised by us as having any authority so long as we are able to hold our own against Downing street intermeddling without outside assistance. If the question of the relations between the Colonics and parent country is to

be settled by a conference, we must insist, as a preliminary, upon England being a party to that conference, and as a further preliminary, that there should be a conference between the representatives of the Australian Colonies in Melbourne, Sydney, or Auckland, before instructjpg our delegates as to the policy which would be sanctioned by the authorities. Weak as is our faith in the wisdom of Downing-street, we would rather argue the question of our relations with the officials there by means of despatches, than authorise any body of gentlemen in London, however estimable they may be, to act for ns. We have' a vivid recollection of the adverse nses to which such an organisation may be put, and we would rather caution the English Government against the interference of the fellows of the Colonial Society than strengthen their hands by giving them the rank of representatives—for that is what they are aiming at. We have already an agent in London, whose duty it is to look after our interests, and we would rather ’that he should mind his own business than mix himself up with the schemes ofan absentee clique. There is nothing to hinder the “ colonists retired from business w to discuss any question they please, and they can do so in their society or in any other place without offence, so long as they do not arrogate to themselves the rank of ambassadors. The Colonies have too much self-respect and proper pride to send envoys to a court where their rank would not be recognised. W© are afraid that the Westminster conference might bring the Colonies into ridicule. A plenipotentiary without power can never command respect. The question is of English rather than colonial interests Even New Zealand, although having 4 right to feel hurt at the coarse and unfeeling taunts of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, is not dependent for the efficient management of her affairs upon any decision of the Home Government. As for Victoria it is a matter of indifference so long as we are allowed to assert our right to manage our own affairs and to act in accordance with that assertion, what Downingstreet may think of our pretensions. If, in case of war, England should think proper to bring us into the quarrel and then leave us to fortune, we shall, no doubt, take very good care of ourselves, only, after it is all over. England need not be surprised if she should find that a colony, once east off, is not likely to return to the use of the leading strings. In a dispute with her colonies England has everything to lose, and it is therefore England’s business rather than ours to O # t consider what her best policy is.