ROYAL COLONIAL INSTITUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1921, Page 4

ROYAL COLONIAL INSTITUTE.

AN EMPIRE ORGANISATION. SECRETARY VISITS TARANAKI. “To work for the permanent unity o£ ( the British Empire; to promote patriotism; to educate the public to the realisation of all that the British Empire means, and the great possibilities which its future holds out.” These are the foremost of the objects of the Royal Colonial Institute, an organisation which is at present extending its activities to New Zealand. Major J. R. Boose, C.M.G. (organising secretary), who is at present engaged on a tour of New Zealand, with the object of forming branches of the institute, was in S’ew Plymouth during the week-end, and in the course of an interview with a Daily News representative he gave some information on the general work of the body. The society which was founded in 1868, has headquarters in London and its ultimate aim, Major said, was some form of Imperial parliament or council which would afford a means by which questions of united defence, trade, taxation, etc., could be determined. It aimed at showing how much more important were questions relating to unity of Empire than party squabbles, and the institute had done much in bringing about what had already heen achieved in extending Imperial knowledge. The institute desired to encourage and facilitate the trade of the Empire, especially by the collection and distribution of information, and also wished to see emigration kept within the Empire by encouraging British emigrants to settle in the Dominions. They favored the adoption of the principle that it is the duty of every British youth to train for defence purposes. The present effort, Major Boose said, was to increase the membership of the institute from 17,900 to 100,000 and to form branches throughout the world. The firit branch had been formed in Christchurch in 1913, and it was possible others would be formed in Auckland and Wellington, and in the South Istand. He had found very encouraging support for the movement in New Plymouth, but as the rules provided for a minimum of 100 members it was probable that in the meantime those wishing to become associates would be joiner with the Wellington branch.