IMPERIAL FEDERATION. Auckland, June 25.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 381, 3 July 1889, Page 5

IMPERIAL FEDERATION. Auckland, June 25.

At the Progressive League meeting last evening a discussion on Imperial Federa. tion was opened with an address by Mr T. H. Chap nan. In introducing the subject he said that the British Empire, of which New Zealand formed an importnntpart), extended to all quarters of the globe. It was the proud boast of Englishmen that the sun never set on the British dominions, which covered fully one-sixth of the earth's surface or nine million square miles, with a population of 310,000,000, being more than one - iifth of the world's inhabitants. This was tho result of the colonising tendency which had always characterised tho Anglo-Saxon raee — a feature that was combined with a peculiar aptitude for successfully governing uncivilised peoples. The growth and development of the Empire had been enormous during the reign ot Queen Victoria. It possessed every kind ot climate, from the severity of a Canadian winter to the heat of tropical India. Within its bounds were produced every necessity of life and most of tho luxuries, and therefore the Empire could be independent of foreign nations in every sense. Each part had its characteristic productions and particular natural resources. In a well-organised community each individual should supply the rest with that which he is best libted to produce, the whole thus gaining by the greater efiecbi/eness of tho parts through this subdivision of labour ; and such would be the result within the Empire if there were no vexatious restrictions in the shape of hostile {tariffs to hamper trade and hinder the natural exchange of commodities. But unfortunately it was not so. Was ib not strange that people inhabiting different parts of the same empire should tax each other's productions? yet, nevertheless, this was the caso. He took Imperial Federation to mean the amalgamation of the different parts of the Britishdominionsinto one sfciong confederation, like that of the United States of America or the German Empire. The States were practically independent countries so far as their internal government was concerned, each State having its own local Parliament, which had the sole control of all affaii'3 within its bounds, except matters of national importance, which were dealt with by Congress. In like manner the German Empire was bub a confederation of States, foimed for the purposes of mutual advantage and defence, recognising the truth of the old adage that " Union is strength, but disunion is weakness." The Northern States of America valued the principle so much that they embarked on a long and costly war with their own kinsfolk, spending millions of money and thousands of lives in order to preserve the Union. Was federation of this kind desirable ? He thought it was, for if England and all her colonies and dependencies were joined together in an ofiensive and defensive union, ib would vasbly increase the power of the Empire. Through the modilying or abolition of the protective tariffs of the various colonies, the national trade and commerce would be greatly stimulated. Ib would also probably help forward the cause ol universal free -trade. It might possibly lead to what Sir George Grey terms "That grander confederation of all the English - speaking peoples," which would guarantee the peace of the world. If federation became a practical reality, we could keep such a navy on the seas that it would be sufh'cicnp to protect our immense trade and place us in comparative security. But there were objections to the scheme being constantly raised by its opponents. One was the scattered nature of the Empire, bub he would point oub thab wibh bho faci'ities •we enjoy tor annihilating space at the present day, distance is not an insuperable objection. Then by means of the telegraph the doings of the Imperial Parliament could bo followed almost as eafoily as the movements of our own legislatois. Ib was also asserted that it would mean a loss of independence to the colonies. Bub looking at the United States as an example, we find thab the different States have the fullost liberty in managing their internal affairs. The heavy protective tariffs of the colonies were, however, the piincipal objection, and appeared to be the great stumbling block with many. Perhaps a difference should be made in favour of the colonies us regards imports into Great Britain, bub what diflerence had the colonies-^hownin theirtreatmentof English and foreign imports? Sowhatright had they to complain ? It seemed bo him thatwhen the colonies fully appreciated their position and saw the immense advantages to be gained, and realised that they had a right to a voice in the management of Imperial afTaiis, they would demand ib, and no doubb would get ib. Some men had devoted their lives to tho attainment of some great end, e.y. , Wilberforce and the emancipation of the slaves ; but he could conceive of no object grander in its conception and more far-reaching in its results than thab of Imperial Federation. It would help on the progress of civilisation, and what the po^sibilibies of the English race would be under the conditions which must necessarily ensue, ib would be impossible to predict. He believed it would be wise to form a branch of the Imperial Federation League in this city for the purpose of promulgating the principles involved. A discussion, necessarily short, followed. Mr Fanington said the reason why the proposal had not emanated from the colonies was on account of the extra taxation ib would necessitate, bub he thought it woukl be only right that they should contribute to the support of the British Navy. Mr A. Withy believed that free trade amongst all the States and the abundance of free land had been the chief factors in the progress of the United S bates. Ib was resolved to continue the discussion at the next meeting. v^

Some little time ago an English nobleman, who shall be nameless, passed through Itotorua. WheD he arrived at the principal hotel there the verandah and door were crowded by natives. The waiter, who spoke Maori very little and very badly, called upon them to make way for " the lord." They watched him with wide-open eyes as he alierhted from the coach, and then went to an interpreter and asked him if it were true that "the Lord" had arlived, evidently referring to the Second Advent. The interpreter, scenting some fun, solemnly assured them In the affirmative. Away went the natives to tell the news to others, and beiore long a crowd of wondering Maoris appeared and forced their way to " the Lord." Then a deputation of old chiefs went to him, and inspected him curiously. At first they kept a respectful distance, but gradually came closer, and at last ventured to, touch his garments, and then his flosh, he being much perplexed at their mysterious proceedings. Then the deputation retired to discuss matters, and apparently came to the conclusion that he was a very mundane sort of Lord after all, for they returned and solemnly propounded the query, " Will the' Lord shout lone beers?" He " shouted." ' New York city is reported to .contain 10,000 Chinamen, and Honolulu haa neatly the same number. > v >,