THE DINNER TO THE AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 25, 29 January 1881, Page 4

THE DINNER TO THE AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE.

SPFECH OF MB. DICK. At a dinner given to the Intercolonial Conference delegates at Sydney by tbe Chamber of Commerce, the prpsi< ent — the Fon, J. B. Watt, M L.C — proposed the toast of "Our Guest.." In the course of his remarks he said tbat up to a few years ago the policy of the Australian colonies was subdivision, aod one of the greatest mcD, Dr La.g, used his beet efforts to subdivide the colonies ; but now tbe idea was that subdivision was a mistake. (Hear, hear,) The object of tbat Confetence was to retain to all the colonies the benefits tbat resulted from subdivision, and at the came time to obtain tbe- advantage of m* re intiout. union. The H on. T. Dh k, io respond ing for New Z-ulHttd, expressed the great pleasure 1 c it-It in meeting the Chtmberot Commerce of New South Wake on such an cccasion as tbe present. He felt it was a mark of appreciation of the efforts of this Conference that an association wbich woe eogaged

in mercantile pursuits ' should acknowledge in such a manoer their obligations to <b:> Conference. He felt that they were met together, in a very srf at degree, for objects of commerce, nnd that, while they felt deeply the kindness and consideration of the C-.sro'*>er in meeting them on this occasion and inviting them to share their hospitality, it must be remembered that they were engaged, in works which would be for the benefit of all the Australian colonies. He had previously known that New Zealand was the daughter of New South Wales, end he believed it was the young.Bt daughter of this favored colony. He was glad to know that it was held in such favour in the eyes of its parent, and that they had hitherto associated themselves for the goo', not only oi their two selves, but of ihe whole of the other colonies, in carryiag forward telegraphic and other works together. He had no doubt that they would find what be mi^ht even call " tbe Be.jamin of the Australian colonies/ a faithful and d vote! ally in the future, and that when th.se colonies, as parents did, bad grown old and weary in the work in which they were engaged, they would find that tbeir strong und robust son would bear this work on bis own .shoulders, and, in earnest support of his parent colony, do much to advance the interests of New South Wales. He was glad to kto?. tbat be bud so many brothers an') sisters here, an ! that $[ew South Wales bad such a prolific family. He bad no doubt tbat with their parent they mould mike a strong unite, federation by and by, and that (hey woulJ yet make tbat Great Britain ot tbe S~uth a tower ol strength in the world in its commerce and its ca ! ural interest. He was very happy to bear the remarks of Mr Bony, and he sympathis d most heart ily with him, and he would like to think tbat tbey had been in conference to _i*-;ke allowances one to the other. He '■•elongtd to a colony that was very happy to give and take, and which had to offer to these colonies some products which he had no doubt would benefit them, and it hoped to take from 'heo something in return. He also sympathised with the expressions used io regard to federation, which he conceived would be a benefit to all the Australian colonies. It bad been suggested that an alliance of the colonies might now be formed. H. .might point out to tbem that in New Zealand there were once separate provinces, wbich were now united, ani he had no doubt that the same thing might take place in all the Australian Colonies. (Cheers.)