FEDERATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 154, 14 August 1886, Page 1

FEDERATION.

London, Aug. 11. A deputation of members of the Imperial Federal League waited to-day vpon the Marquis of Salisbury to urge chat a conference should be held, or a Royal Commission, including the colonial delegates, appointed, to suggest means for collective action for the defence of British ports in time of war, promoting commercial interests, postal and telegraphic communication, to further the maintenance of peace, and secure a closer union of the Empire.

Mr Jas. Service, in a speech on behalf of the deputation, alluded in bitter terras to the way the Imperial Government had in former years neglected th>* colonial interests,but hoped this was now changed. If the Government was capable of negotiating with France for Iter with drawal from the New Hebrides and New Caledonia, such a step would bind Australia closer than ever to tin* Mother Country. Lord Salisbury, in reply, stated he was unable on bis own authority to answer the request of the deputation, but would consult Ids colleagues on the matter. He said he fully recognised its importance and was impressed hy the rapid growth of the federation movement.- He believed an absention ftotn the satm was premature ; that it would be the wisest to formulate a scheme, and that it was a mistake to consider the movement unreal. Government would a ! ways keep the desire for federation before thorn. ON Lordship wnton to say he approv' d of the views of Captain Colombo regarding colonial defences. Government would confer thereon with a number ot leading colonist. Ihe rmarks which had be n mad° hy Mi Service regarding New Guinea were outside the range of practic'd pod'ics He concluded by praising the energy the colonies Lad shown in matters ol defence.