Colonial Reform Society.

New Zealander, Volume 6, Issue 489, 21 December 1850, Page 2 (Supplement)

Colonial Reform Society.

The second annual dinner of this society took place at the Trafalgar, Greenwich, on Wednesday the 1 7th of July. The attendance was not numerous, and dinner did not commence till eight o'clock, and the bnsi ness not till nine. Lord Monteagle, chairman, gave the loyal toaits. He begged to give " Succeii to the Colonial Society/ and with it to couple " the Health of Sir William Moleswortb," who, in acknowledging the toast, said, —The Colonial Reform Society owed its origta to a party of gentlemen interested in colonial matteis who dived here about this time latt year, On that occasion it was felt that our colonies were in a very critical and

dangerous state ; that Australia was much disappointed at not obtaining free institutions ; that South Africa was indignant at the proipect of becoming a convict colony ; that Canada was irritated, and thinking about annrxation to the United States, and, in short, that dissatisfaction and discontent prevailed throughout the whole of the colonial empire, and seriously menaced the itnbiliiy of that empire. It was generally agreed that tlih disastrous and much-to-be-lamented state of things in the colonies bad been occasioned by a bad j system of colonial government : that that System needed immediate reform ; mnd that to bring about such a reform it was necessary that there should be unity of purpose and combined action amongst those who felt an interest in the Colonies. These feelings led to the formation of the Society for the Reform of Colonial Government. That society has been framed without deference to political parties. It numbered amongst it* member* all classes of politicsns, Whigs and Tories, Conservatives and Radicals, protectionists, Free Tra« ders, and Finauical Reformers. To the formation of the Colonial Reform Society may be attributed the proposal of the Government to give a constitution to the Cape of Good Hope ; the early introduction of the bill for the better government of the Australian colonies ; the full, careful, and complete discussion of that bill, —the fullest, the most careful, and most complete discussion of a colonial bill which has ever been witnessed in Parliament, and which has succeeded in rousing public attention to the true principle* of colonial policy and government. We think, there'ore, that the Colonial Reform Society has done well this year and we hope and expect that it will zealously continue its efforts, merit the warm thanks, and obtain the cordial assistance of the colonists of Great Britain, and deserve the honour which you have done it in drinking to its sucreu. The Bishop of Oxford gave " success to the Canterbury Colony ;" fur which Lord Lyttelton returned thanks, highly applauding Mr. Godley, who was absent and expressing considerable anxiety about the asio* ciation. He greatly feared the " Australian Colonies Improvement Bill," and said her Majesty's Minister* bad missed the greatest opportunity any Government ever had, and he only hoped that the colonists would see through the imperfect measure they had obtained— a measure which it was an utter delusion and imposture to pretend gave them the government of their own affairs, and that they would not rest content, itas was much to be feared thry would or risk the danger of acquiescence in such a measure, but would seek for those rights to which be believed them fully entitled and in the possession of which he would with to see them contented. — (Cherrs.) Mr. Hume said the Colonial-office was the cause of all the discontent in any of our colonies. He gave " Success to the Cupe of Good Hope," coupling with his toast the name of Mr. Adderly. Mr Adderly, in returning thanks, observed that be felt obliged for the connexion of his name with the Cape of Good Hope, but at the same time would not so far subscribe to the principle of the hon. member who bad just spoken as to hold out to all the colonies —to the colony of Canterbury, for instance, of which the Bishop designate was then present— the example of the Cape of Good Hope as a precedent they should invariably foilow.— (A laugh.) Although the society had as yet received nothing from the colonies, the contributor!* in the piesent month amounted to £240., of whish £160, had been expended in the publication of various works, One of these related to the charters of our American colonies, and the librarian of the House of Commons— no bad judge on such a matter, on receiving a copy of the work—* aid that if the association had done nothing else they had performed good service by its pubheution. Having alluded to the publication of the woik of Mr. Mackj, whose !, absence he regretted, and to the speech of Lord LyUlcton on the Australian Colonies Bill, the hon. gentleman concluded by declaring his belief that the society had been productive of the greatest advantages, and that Lord J. Russell had sufficiently evinced his sense of their importance by his speech at the commencement of the session, which was but a commentary on the text furnished by the manifesto of the Colonial Society. Mr. Scott, in an animated speech, proposed, " Success to 'he Australian Colonies." Mr. Lowe, returned thanks at considerable length ; and after an onslaught on the colonial press, proceed* cd] to review the provisions of the Australian Bill, and to dilate on the grievances of the Australian colonies. Earl Grey had, he said, Hkea.second Pisbtratus, turned out of office, under pretence of greater zeal, thone who had done as much or more fur the country as himself. The colonies had expected nothing from Lord Stanley but they hud hoped much from Earl Grey, yet be was bound to say that Lord Stanley was more a colonial reformer than the other. The conduct of the Colonialoffice in managing the waste land* had been most ruinous—their present upset price was something like the agrarian laws of Rome, and must ultimately lead to the effusion of blood. For his own part, he would rather take a decision of the Emperor of China than of the Colonial Secretary, for the former might give a fair decision, but the latter was so hampered by his speeches, despatches, and reports* that he could not give an unbiassed conclusion. He concluded by calling on the company to stand between the Colanial- office and our colonial empire. The meeting was not over till midnight.