THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1866, 16 March 1889, Page 1

THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

London, March 13. The Prince of Wales presided at the Imperial Institute banquet held last night, at which three hundred were present. In proposing the toast of " Prosperity to the Institute," the Prince of Wales said that he regretted that want of time and opportunity had prevented him visiting Australia. He felt the deepest interest in the welfare of the colonies, and he thought it was the duty of everv British statesman to visit the colonies. He believed that the establishment of the Institute had greatly assisted in bringing about nn improved feeling between th* colonies and tin- mother country. Whilo he hoped that the proposed amalgamation of the' Colonial and Imperial Institutes would soon brought about, he disclaimed any desire on the part of the latter to absorb the former. In the course of the speech in which he proposed the Army and Navy His JRoyal Highness said that ho recognised in the efforts made by the colonies in defence matters, not only a desire to protect themselves but to assist in the protection of the Empire. The Duke of Cambridge responded for the Army, and Lord Charles Beresford for the Navy, The Earl of Carnarvon proposed "The United Empire," and in the course of bis speech said that none dosired to precipitate a closer union between Great Britain and her colonies, or in any respect to curtail the autonomy of the latter. Lord Knutsford, replying to the toast, said he was convinced that there was much beyond mere sentiment binding the colonies to Great Britain.