ENGLAND AND THE COLONIES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2156, 29 January 1891, Page 3

ENGLAND AND THE COLONIES.

There was a large attendance at the Colonial Institute to-day to hear Lord Carnngton read his paper on Australia. Among thosa present were the Prince of Wales, who presided, Lord Granville, and Lord Knutsford. Lord Carrington said that Imperial federation was a beautiful and nuggestive proposal, but their were many difficulties in the way. It would be better to draw the colonies to England with cords of loye, leaving them to their own way. The old system of interference in their internal affairs should cease. The spirit of nationalism was strongly increasing, and the movement was influenced by pressure from without, by the policy of Great Britain, and by the varying independent action of the colonies. The Chinese and New Guinea questions were specially mentioned. He expressed a hope that Sir Henry Parkes would pereside at the coming Federa Convention. His courge, eloquence, and statesmanship showed that he was a man born to shape the destines of a growing country. Nationalism need not impair the loyalty of the colonies. Once Australian federation was completed England would have an easy task to influence national feeling in her favour. The colonists knew that England would regard the invasion of Australia as she would the landing of a foreign army in Kent, and that England would aid Australia even if Canada objected. England ' would not ask for the consent of Australia before sending cruisers flying the white ensign to the Bay of Eundy or Behring Sea. To enable the colonists to feel that they belonged to the British community Colonial Judges ought to be appointed on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Chief Justices ought to receive life peerages. The title of " Honourable " ought to be recognised everywhere, and the due precedence allotted to Governors, Bishops, and Judges, Statesmeu should be Privy Councillors. The Order of St. Michael and St. George ought not to become a foreign legion with a colonial division. He advised reciprocity between the English and Colonial bar,

and an extension of facilities for the investment of trust funds. The debt of New South Wales was Bmall compared with the vast wealth of the colony. Many private railway companies in England had less milage than New South "Wales with a larger and a greater amount of indebtedness than Australia. He mentioned the Soudan Contingent and the assistance rendered to the dockers as instance of the impulsive interference of the colonists with the struggles of the Empire.