SUEZ MAIL NEWS. The Federation Conference.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 67, 13 September 1884, Page 3

SUEZ MAIL NEWS. The Federation Conference.

London, August 1. The Conference to consider the question of the Federation of the British Empire, commenced its sittings at the Westminster Paloce Hotel on 28th July, and was attended by politicians of every .shade of opinion. Many of the most distinguished men of the day were present, including eminent statesmen (Home and colonial), members of both Houses of Parliament, the Agents-General of a number of the colo. nies, and a number of prominent naval and military oflicers. The Right Hon. Wi E. Foster was president. In his inaugural speech he stated that it was a common idea with all present to preserve the unity of the Empire. The question which ay as before the Conference Avas not — Was it well to keep colonies? tut How shall we keep them ? Mr Forster thought that the drifting away of the colonies would be unbearable on abstract grounds and unbearable on material ones, fcr experience had proved that trade followed the flag. As regards the colonial view, the proposed separation would be as hateful to the colonies as to English men. It was clear that the relation of England with her colonies must ultimately end either in isolated independence or some form of Federal Union. The ultimate form of this Federation Avas not the main question to-day, but it Avas clear that any scheme must be arranged on principles oi perfect equality and right. The Hon. W. 11. Smith moved :— "That some form of Federation is essential to the permanent unity of the Empire ; that a society be formed comprising men of all parties in order to advocate and support the principles of Federation ; that the Conference refer to the Provisional Committee all details as to the establishment and organisation of the Society, such Committee to submit a report to an adjourned Conference next autumn ; that the Committee consist of the folloAving members :— Right Hon. W. E. Forster, M.P. (Chairman), Frederick Young, Secretary to Royal Colonial Institute, and Captain Colombo (V ice-Chairmen), Mr Francis Labilliel (Honorary Secretary), Messrs Denniaton, Wood, Arnold, Forster, Finch, and Halton (joint hon. treasurers), Sir Daniel Cooper, W. J. Courthope, Alexander Stayely Hill, Sir Samuel Willon (members), with poAver to add to their number ; that copies of this resolution should be transmitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the High Commissioner for Canada, and the Agents-General for the Australian Colonies and the Cape." Mr Smith said that all parties regarded our colonial friends as Englishmen, and as such fully entitled to as complete a voice in the management and control of the affairs of the empire as Englishmen. Federation had become inevitable in order to prevent disintegration, but no system of federation was in contemplation in the slightest degree interfering with the domestic or local form of government.

A Norwegian named Johnson intimates his intention of sailing on Saturday from Southampton for New York in his boat Neptune, which was shown at the Fisheries Exhibition last year, and of taking with him no companion save a cat. Mr Johnson would do well, before starting, to persuade that faithful animal to intrust him with a few of her superfluous lives,