IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.I I4£|28 |2.5 |J0 ■^~ ■■■ :: us 12.0 18 1.25 M 1.6 ^ ^ ^n ► ^^ v^ / ^^3 ^ "F C/1 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 S. •s^ f\ :\ \ V 'Ck 6^ ■^ '^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Instituta for Historical Microreproductions / institut Canadian de microreproductions historiquas signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols ▼ signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, aa many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Lea cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre fiimte A dee taux de rMuction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour htn reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film* 6 partir do i'angle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche A droite. et de haut en lias, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Las diagrammes sulvants iilustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ^^H^- IMPERIAL FEDERATION LEAGUE. IRcuoi't OF A djounicd Conjeren cc, AND OF The First Meeting . ,. , of the League, Irfnijsi^^^^ NOVEMBEB 18. 1884 :^^^S: r'-TT ,-/ ";'!''•' ■,, — -^ 1 (fTi'liil .ns^^i^Hi v; ^/^r 4 e.^:^" ^7, fiidva i.33<~S!e:iar:-t;---- OASSEi ' '■ rr-,M:v.Kiv I:vhim-, i.ondoii, Paris ^ '''^^ Imperial Federation League. LEAGUE FOR THE PURPOSE (JF IMIOMOTING THE CAUSE OF IMPERIAL FEDERAT[()X HAVING BEKN NOW FORMED, ALL BRFTISH SUBJECTS TJIROUGHOUT THE EMPIRE WHO SY.AIPATHISE WITH THE END IN VIEW ARE INVITED TO ENROL THEMSELVES AS MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE, AND TO GIVE ALL THE ASSISTANCE IN THEIR POWER TOWARDS ENSURING ITS SUCCESS. .1)1, Accoitnt of t/tfi Coastdtation nud Mt^fJuKls of the Lfngxif will be found at pri(/f' 7 of this /'fj/orf. Attention is called to tlie Kesoliition iul()[)teil by tlie Conference on Nov. 18th, in favour of the Kstablislnnent of Bronches of the League in all Parts of the Empire, .-tnd the co- operation of all Frientls of the Movement is invited towards assisting the General Committee to carry out this important featur of the Constitution of the Leasue. ALL COMAUNICATlONS S>1()1 I.I) ItE MA!)K lO TilK SIX llETAUV (JT TUK IMrEUlAI. I'KDEKATION I,i:A(.il K, 43, ST. .>rAR(rAHE'r'S OFFIOKS, N'ICTOIJlA STREET, AVEST.AirXSTEH. London, S.W. Subscriptions to the t'l'iitnil Li.'aguc shoiilil be itiudt' payable to the Hon. Treasureis, J. DENNISTOUN WOOD, E^q., S'J, Liulljiooke (irove, I,ondon, W. ; or The Hon. HAROLD FINCH-HATTON, VJ, liiiry Street, St. .James's, London. ChKnifs mail >>(' crosxi'd " M ESS its. HoAHE." Imperial Federation League. E E P O R T or iMi: ADJOURNED CONFEFiENCE Held on November 18th, 1884. Foundation of the Imperial Federation League. [n jiccordanct! with the re.solutioii jiassed l>y tlie prt'liniiuiiiv • 'oiitiu'cni'c, hvhl on .hily l.'!>th, 1SS|, a nit'ctinjjf was .sunnaoncd l»y th(i Provisional < 'oinnuttce, a|t})oiiit(Ml t'oi- thiit jiui|»o,se, on Nov. If^th. Tlie object of the Met'tin^ was to form a jifrinanent Society tor the [U'oniotion of hnperiul Frdciation. A serie.s of reconi- iiiendiitions deivlint; with the l)e,st iiiethftd of creatinij:, organising:;, and I'ondiU'ting snrh a Society, were submitted by the Pro- visional ( 'onnuittee. and these reeommeiulations after full . BkAHOUKNK. liOHD. Bkownk, Wilmam. J.. Esr(. 1 3 Burrows. Montagu, Pi»»fcrsN(ir of Muilcin Histoiv tlie Univcfrtity of Oxford. BoRLAHE. W. C. Es(|.. liiboi-iil McmIxT for E,iMt ('(tniWHil. Bryce. James, Libonil Mciiiltcr for Tower H;iiiilt't.s. Cartwright, W. C. Eh(|.. Lil».-nil Meml.ci- for Oxfonlshiiv. fUsTLETowN and Ossorv. Lord. ('LAYi)EN. Arthur. Esq. (;ohen. Arthur, Esq.. Q.C, Lih.-nil M.miiImt for Sontluvnrk. CoLoMB, Captain J. C. R. ("ooPER. SiK Daniel. Bart.. K.C.M.CI. Caine. Wii.hiAM, S., Esq., LilK'i-al Meiiihor foi- Snirhoroujjh.* COURTHOI'E, W". J.. Esq. CowEN. Joseph, Es(i., Lilx-ml MciuImt for iVcw.-jistle. r'ROPPEit. James. Escj.. LilMn-al M.'inlior f(.i- Kendal. CuRRiE. Sir Donam). K.C.M.(L. Liheml Meinl.er f..i- P.'i'thshire. Chester. The Very Rev. the Dean oe. Dalton. The Rev. J. N.. M.A.. (\MAi. Dobell. R. R.. Esq. Duffy. Sir Charles (tavan. K.C.M.C.. Late Pi-emiei- ..f Vietoriji. Dunraven. The Earl ok. K.P. Emly. The Right Hon. Lord. Finoh-Hatton. The Hon. Harold Hi>n. Treftsnrer.) Finch-Hatton, The Hon. Murray. Conservative MetiiI.er for Soiitli Lincolnshire. Folkestone. Viscount. Conservtitive Memher for South Wilts. Fox. Sir William. K.C.M.G.. l.-i1.. Premier of Now Zealand. FoRSTER. H. O. Arnold. Esq. t Hon. Sfrrcfarif.) Fowler, R. K. Esq.. Conservative .Member for the City ; ijite Lord Mayor of London. (JiBsoN. The Right Hon. E.. Conservative M.'inli.T for Dnlilin University; late Attorney-Ceneral for Lvlaml. (tILLespie. Robert, Esq. (tIsborne, William. Esq.. Late Member of the New Zeahuid Ministry. GORST, J. E., E.sq., Q.C.. Conservative Mend.er for ChathanL (tOURLey. Colonel E. T., Liberal Member for Snnder'aud. GitEGORY. The Right Hon. Sir William. K.C.M.fJ.. formerly Governor of Ceylon inid also of the Straits Settlements. Gregory. F. F.. Esq. Gre.swell. William, Es(|. Hay, Admiral Rt. Hon. Sir John Dalrvmple Hay. Bart.. Conservative Member for Wiiiil»<-r fur West Kent. Li-oyo. Sampson S.. Esq., Con.servative Mt'iuluT fur North Warwick- siiirc. Ll'bjjock. Sir John. Bart.. LilM-ral Member for London Univorsitv. Macleay, Sir Georok, K.C.M.G. McArthuk. Alkxandp:r, Esq., Liberal Mend)er for Leieester. McAhthur, Sir William. K.C'.M.G.. Lil>eral Member for Lami)et>li. MACKINNON, William, Esq. Maskelynk. N. Story. Es(|.. Liberal Menii.er fw South Wnlos. Wemyss and March. Earl of. Westoarth, William, Esq. Westminster. The Very Rev. the Dean of. Wilson. Sir Samuel. Wood, J. Dennistoun. {Hon. Tre(xntn-ci:) YouL, J. A.. Esq., C.M.G. Young. Frederick. Esq. Tlip following is an iiocouut of the proceedings of the ( 'on- fei-ence. The Right Hon. W. E. Forster, M.P., who occupied the ehair, opened tlie Conference with the intimation that the friends of the mo\ ement were receiving the adhesion and lielp of most influential men of all ])arties in the State to the proposed League, and he then called for the Report of the Provisional Comnut"tee.' which was as follows : - IMPERIAL FEDERATION. r/iftir llroUisional €ammitU^. THH KKJHT HOX. W. E. FOKSTEK, MP FHK1)EIII(!K YorXCi, ESQ., > CAPTAIN .1. ('. h'. COLOMB, \ ^'ice.Chain,mi. .1. DENXiSTorX WOO]), ESQ., ) HOX. HAliOLI) FrX('lI-lL\TTOX, \Ho)i. Trcimrrers, iixn/. l''l!AN( IS I'. i,.\ III 1,1,1 i;i;i:. , Hull. Sirfihli if* U. (I. AI.'Nni.D.niK'SIKlj, s Sll; li.WIKI. tnol'KK, HAK'T. w. .1. conri'iKU'i;. ixi, u. I;. DKUKLi,. l•;s(^ wiM.iAM (Jisitni.-M:, ^•,s(^ AI.KX. STAN km: S 1111,1,. KSq.. (^( .. M.i'. .1. M. \VA'J"r. KS(i. Sll; sA,Mri;i. wii.sdN. Ilrj/nrf of tin- /*r(n'isio/Hf/ domnilftrt'. Vwv. ProviHi(»iiiil ( 'oiimsittt'c Imvc tlic lidiiDiir t<» if])«»rt timl, in i'<»iiloniiit V with the ivsohitions pjisscd hy tlir ( 'oiifcrciiec on tlir I'Dtli .Inly lust, tliey liavf ciirrit'd on tlic hnsiness of tlio ( 'onffivntre Jessr.s. K. 1!. Doliell. William ^lisi.oine, antl .1. M. Watt. At the request of tlie ( 'onnin'ttee. Mi-. }1. (.). Arnold- Kor.ster ex- elianged tlie oltice of joint Hon. 'I'reasurei- for that of joint Hon. Secretary witli Mr. F. \\ Laliilliei'e. A considerahle amount of corresponilence lia.H passed tln'i'essions of opinion favourahle to the olject of the Conference have lieen received from all parts of tlie Avorhl, and miu-h interest has lieen e\ iuced Avitli regard to the fornuition of the |>roposed Society. In accordanci' with the resolutions of the ( 'onference, the Provi.sional Connuittee lia\c prejjared a full report of the meeting of JiUy 2i)tli. The I'eport contains the speeches delivered at the Conference, a list of all those who took part in it, and also of those who wrote to express sympathy with its olject. Extracts from .some of the moiM- important letters are given, and selections from the opinions of the Press are added in the form <»f a sup- plement. . The report is herewith suVimitted to tlie Conference. Jn response to the appeal made at the last meeting of the Confei'ence, sul ascriptions to the amount of £'ll^) 2s. (kl. have beeji forwarded to the Hon. Treasurers. An accotuit of the sums so reqeived, and of the ex)»enditure of the Provisional Committee up to the i)re.sent date, will he found in the ajipended i'e}»ort. The Provisional Committee, in further .]»ursuance of the instructions receixed, have passed a series of resolutions for the consideration of the (Conference, which are as follows : — T 'rimi II Sociuty '»iiiu on an ('(piital>l»' ha.sis tht- resources of the Knipirc for the maintenance of conunon intoroHts, and ade(iiiat<'Iy [»ro. vide for an or;,'Mnise(l defeiico of conunon ri;;'Iits. Tlmt the Leaj,aie use every constitutional meauh to l»rinj; about tlie ohject for whicli it is f jriiietl, nnd invite the support of men of all political pai-ties. That the Memltcrship of the Leaj^c l>e open to any British subject wlio accepts tli« principles of tiie liCayue, and l)ays a yeai'ly re^«tration fee of one shillitii.'. Tiiat donutious and Kubscri[)tions be invited for providini( means for conducting the business of the League, That British subjects throughout the Empire tie invited to become members, and to form aiul organise Branches of the League. Tiiat an Annual (Jeneral fleeting of the liCaguc lie heUl in London. 10. That the affairs of the League until its next General Meeting be conducted by a General ( 'omniittee. 11. Tliat the (ireueral Connnittee be now appointed, with power to add to its number. 12. i:?. That the Branches of the League be empowered to appoint representatives to act on the General Committee. That the General Committee shall furnish a Report to tl" next meeting of the League. Tlie Provisional Coimiiittee suggest that the plan of procedure should include tlie iullowing special methods : A Publications, Lectures, and Meetings. H The collection and dissemination of statistics and informa- tion beaiiug upon the object of the League. V. The interchange of views between fiiends of Federation in the United Kingdom and the Colonies. 1) Providing, in a really available form, information relating to the common interests of the Empire, and tending to further the objects of the League. The following is an al)stract from the Hon. Treasurers' accounts : £ s. d. Subscriptions received as per annexed List. 275 2 6 Expended 28 6 The above does not include expenses connected with the l)ubJication of the Report of the Conference of July 29th. W. E. FORSTER, Chairiudn of the Provisional Cominittee, FliAXCIS V. LABlLLIEiiE, :,, Pimip Court, ) Tcmplo, E.(l I Hon. II. (). AKNOLD-FOESTP^H, 80, Ecleston^ gncs. !Squar<\ S. W. THE MARQUIS OF NORMANBY* Moved the adoption of the foregon.g report. Maintamin'-', as he did, the strongest possible feeling towards the Colonies of this great Empire, he cou^d not, he said, but rejoice to see a movement of this kind taking place. The Colonies were 310W bound to this country by the bond of atfection and loyalty, and, he might add, by self-interest, because there were no com- munities in the world which possessed such free and independent constitutions as the Colonies of this country did. While he had no fear, therefore, of any innnediate likelihood of rupture between the Colonies and the mother country, he thought it was a statesmanlike view to look forward to the future as well as to consider the present, and he could not help feeling that as time rolled by and these great Colonies increased in wealth and population, unless the union was drawn close it would inevitably grow weaker. • Governor in succession of Nova Scotia, Queensland. New South Wales and Victoria. T SIR HENRY HOLLAND, M.P.,* In seconding the motion, said he attached especial importance to the fourth head of tlie scheme (as set forth above), the orga- nised defence of common rights, and he expressed the hope that members on both sides of the House of Commons woukl endea- vour to raise this important subject above all questions of political party. (Hear, hear.) He expressed his opinion that the first great step towards Imperial federation was to promote a scheme of federation among the Colonists themselvfes. The Report was then unanimously adopted. MR. 5:. STANHOPE, M.P.,t - Then opened a genei-al discussion by congratulating those present on the great strides which the cause had made since they last met a few months ago, and urging that they should proceed at once to form the League upon the basis proposed. LORD BRABOURNE$ Said that when he first went to the Colonial Ofiice, where he had the honour of serving for more than three years as Under- Secretary, he well remembered chat there were men in England at that time who spoke lightly of the Colonial connexions, who spoke of Canada, for example, as a country with which England might part with great advantage. He set himself from the*very first day he entered that office till the day he quitted it to coun- teract such views. (Cheera.) There would be no day so evil for England as that when any political party should cease to cherish the Colonial Empire as an integral part of England. If Colonists and Englishmen would meet more frequently and learn more to understand each other's interest the more would they find that these interests were identical, and they would form and create such feeling in this country and the Colonies that the man who would hereafter speak of the possibility of any severance would be laughed at as a visionary, whose opinions could not be tolerated. (Hear, hear.) MR, JAMES YOLTL,§ As representing one of the Colonies, cautioned the committee that proposals for federation must come from the Colonies them- selves, and to be careful not to interfere with their rights. • C;on8ervative Member for Midhnrst, Assistant Under-Secretary for th.. Colonies 1870 to 1874; Member of tbe In.perial Defence Commission t Conservative Member for Mid-Lincolnsliire ; late Under-S^croiarv ^or India + Formerly Under-Secretary tor the Colonies. § Tasmania. 10 THE EARL OF DUNRAVEN Reinarked that in no })racticable scheme of federation c( any interference i)os.sibly take place with the local governm- ami indeiienclenoe which the Colonies enjoyed. While it \\.t8 natural for an Englishman to look at the matter from th^- point of view as it affects the United Kingdom, he did not think it possible, on the other hand, to over-estimate the enormous advantage that it was to Englishmen who live beyond those seas to have the military and naval i)ower of England at tlieir back. (Hear.) It was, however, on the growing strength and power of our Colonies that England could best rely in the future to be able to maintain itself in its position as a Hrst-class Power, without burdening itself witli the enormous weight of a huge standing army, or without resorting to conscription. And he believed, further, for himself, that it Avas on the growing wealth of our Colonies that we had, l)erhaps, principally to depend for the prosperity of our great industries, and our trade and commerce. THE HOM^. J. X. MERRIMAN* Desired some information in matters of detail Tke Navy, for example, Avas attracting a j^i good de»l of attention just now in England. If the Colonies were asked to contribute their quota to the interest of any loan raised for- the naval defence of the Eini>i>-e, that would be a real practical step towards federation, and one which might be considered at the i^rescnt time with very great advantage ; but if they were to go into the idea of having a I onfederation of the Empire with a central Parliament, and repre- sentatives from the Colonies in that Parliament, he was afraid they would lind a great many rocks ahead. There Avas a strong centrifugal force which was working the Colonies farther and farther away from the mother country. (Cries of •' No.") He said "Yes." It was desirable that Colonists should know more fully what was proposed, so that they could advocate the scheme in their own Colonies. He thought the Colonies were entitled to tlaim rather more share in settling Imperial affairs concerning themselves than they had at present. At present they Avere (entirely at the mercy of the Colonial Dei)artment, and that Department Avas not the speediest to get into motion in the Avorld. There should be something of a Colonial Council established, so that some definite recognised opinion could be brought to bear on the (Colonial Office, with the view of getting that office to move in time, and so save immense loss, trouble, and confusion. * Late Member of the (ape Ministry. 11 MR \V. E. FOKSTER* Again rose and said:— As a meml)ei- of the Provisional Oomniittee which drew up this Keiioit, I think the time has oome wJien I may otl'er some remarks upon tlie resolution. What Mr. Mei-riman says i-(iseiit mouKMit, peiliai»K, it is u ;Li;i-eat«!r boon for the Colonies tlmt they sliould ha\e great careers opened for tliem in England, and also in our dependencies of Inroud of belonging to the greatest Empire that the world eA er knew, and that we cannot reconcile ourselves to the thought of its being broken up. (Hear, hear.) ]jet us consider for a moment what are the possible tendencies towards separation which we should guard against. No doubt tlmt which would be more likely to produce it than any other cause would be an attemjjt on the part of England to inter- fere with the Colonies. That we must guard against, and that your committee have felt it was absolutely necessary to put down in the very forefront of our proceedings, that there should be do interference with their local self-gOA ernment. That is a fear which would be now j)erhaps more felt by the Colonies ; but if the time comes, as I trust it will come, when the union will have lasted until the Colonies shall have become, .some of them, almost as powerful and perhai)s quite as powerful as England herself, then a fear might be felt bj England if there wjts an attenqit to inter- 14 feit) with tho .solf-govonuueiit of the United Kingdom. Theiefoie It 18 a principle w])ieh we are obliged to maintain, (Hear, hear.) Then the next danger is the fear- on either side of foreigii complications. I suppose there are persons in the (.'olonies wh,. say, " We are in some danger from the action of your Foreign Office in London:" and on the other hand, there are men hi England who say, "The Colonies may drag us into disi.utes which we do not desire." [ do n(,t deny that tliere is a degree of danger on both sides, but J. believe that the advantage of their mutual help and alliance is far gieater than the danger. (Hear, hear.) If we look first to the United Kingdom, considering how our great Continental neighbours are banding themselves in large nations, with populations constantly increasing, and with their enormous standing armies, while the small nations, I am sorry to say, find greater difficulties hi maintaining themselves, I think no one of us can doubt that England would find it hard to maintain her position unless siie made use of what I believe no Continental statesman can for a moment suppose she would be so foolish as to neglect, the assistance which she can obtain from her Colonies. (Cheers.) But, again, I do not think that the Colonies ought to consider themselves perfectly safe. (Hear.) Now 1 am touching upon rather delicate ground ; 1 hope I shall say nothing that will be imprudent. But take AustraHa itself. Australia may say, " We are on the other side cf the world : what matters it what the nations of Europe think? We have a sentimental love for England, but, after all^ are we in any danger V I would ask them just to look at this fact, that the nations of the Continent are now finding out what it is for the English-speaking race to Imve i)ossessipn of n very large portion of the temperate regions of the world, and they are wishing— and not unnaturally wishing- -to have their share in it; and if the Australia", i Colonies were left by themselves, I would not guarantee tliat they would not find that they had foreign complications and had neighbours by their sides which would give them a Eoreign Office --(a laugh)— with very much the same difficulty, but without the same power of obtaining assistance, as we have ourselves. Some people say that the vJolonies will not enter hito relations of mutual defence, and will make no sacrifice for that purpose. 1 entirely disbelieve that statement. (Cheers.) I see nothing to justify it. As far as I can see from e\ery action in the Colonies, from what they have done as States, as self-governing communities, and from what their leading meji say, and from 15 wliat wo believe to Ite tlie po]>ulnr feeling, tliey are vei-y anxious to bear their share in niut>ial defence. We have seen that in what has happened in Australia of late, where the ditiereut ( 'olonies have been going to consideraV)le exj)ense in providing ships of war. And just allow me to say that here f think is an opportunity for strengthening the bonds between the mother country and the Colonies, especially with Australia. Advantage might be taken of this fact, and our CTOvernment ought to come forward, and I have very little doubt will come forward, with some plan of mutual defence, especially 'oy ships of wai- ; a unitual agreement to find the cost of a navy might be arranged, and put into working detail. (Heai-, hear.) But I repeat that we have a great work to do. "We have first to gather together those persons, both here and in the Colonies, who look forward to permanent union, and not to separatioji. We liave to ask them to join together in considering what wonld ultimately Ije the best form of that federation, and still more important for the present time, what Ste[)S should be taken year by year to make it more probable ; and especially Wfe have to ask them to r-ally themselves togetlier to defeat any disintegrating inMuence that may be at work. (Hear, heai'.) The movement has met Avith far greater support than some of us here, however earnest in it, had expected. I have rarely knovvn so many noblemen and gentlemen of all parties wishing to aid in our object, and I beiieve that that arises from this feeling, that none of us who care about ^litical action at all can avoid considering what is to be the future of owrtwuntry, and that the future of our country dejjends upon this union. (Chwrs.) The right lion, gentleman then read letters from several dis- tinguished ])ersons. Lord Shafteslniry wrote : — " l^ooking to the state of Great Britain externally and internally I Hee no hojie for the future maintenance of this dignity and sti-ength, but in one vast federation." That, he remarked, is not the opinion of a party politician, but of one who, more than any man, in his long and beneficent life, has gauged the influences at work among his fellow-countrymen. Then Sir l^yon Play fair wrote: — "I feel very certain that it is a wise thing to discuss the suV»ject of federating Great Britain with the Greater Biitain. The difficulties are no doubt great, but the realisation, though it may be postponed, will add so enormously to the safety and prosperity of the whole Empire, that it is worth while engaging in tlie work, however postponed may be theconsunnnationof our expectations."' Another letter was fi-om Lord Tennyson's son, in wliich he said, speaking on beJia „t Ins father, •' W. c^anu-stly hope that the oonforeuce will Imther th. cause. My father and I will he delighted to be ou 8uch a conunittee as you propose." There was another letter troni Lord Monek, a late (iovenior(ieneral of Canada, who wrote -^ '; 1 shall he very happy to join the League for In.perlal Federa- tion. 1 have Ion- been of opinion that th.-re are but two courses open to us m connexion with the i-elation of the (Monies to the ...other country-- Hrst, to stn-ngthen an.l develop the connexion with the view of making it j^errnanent : secon.lly, to gradually relnx the connexion with a view to ultimate independence If we cannot accomjdish the tirst, 1 think in Justice to the Colonies we .ne, bound to adopt the policy of looking to the latter alternative i our League seems to be the fii>.t earnest attempt to connect the scattered elements of our En.piic., and, if practicable, to ensure the i>einianence of the connexion between them." Lord Monck Mr. J^orster continue.l) exactly puts it as I believe is the real tact. Jt that opinion is to prevail which was held by not a few nitiuentml men a few years ago, that the final relation must be one ot perfect Colonial independence, then I think, at whatever sacrifice of sentimental feeling, that we ought to prepare for it. But the g.-eat change that has occurred in the last few years is that men -lo not believe that will be the final result; and if so, then we nnist work to insure the othei- ivsnlt. (Cheers.) MR. MURKAY SMITH * Said that he had been instructed by his (Government to express the cordial sympathy of his (Government with the movement. THE EARL OF ROSEBERY + • Said : -The main ,)bject of this meeting being a ,)ractical one, I should like to orter at least one practical suggestion. It seems to me that this meeting represents a very great national impulse as conung from the mother country. I ha^e no doubt that if all those who sympathised with us were h.re to-day, not one hall such as this, nor t.m halls such as this, would suffice to hold, not n>.'.ely the masses, but the men of more or less "light and leading who would assemble. That is an impulse that comes fron, the mother country ; but there is another impulse which is "ee.led, and that must come from those (Jolonies which we are anxious to unite. It seems to me that, as a practical matter, it * Agent General for Victoria. ^ Inder Secretary lor tl.e Home l.eM«r.m.nt. mi, in Mr. Ohidstone'B Ministry. t t would )•(• an excellent tliiii;< to invite the Colonies, and tlio.se lepi vstnitatives of tlie ( 'olonies who may be here present, to form Itranches of this Leii^me in their respective Colonieis, 80 that at uny rate we may huNC a voiee which would reach those jiarts of the Emi)ire, and yet make those parts of the Empire feel that we are not lecturin«,' them on what it would he j^rood for them to d(t, hut tryinj,' to raise a responsi\ e echo in the Colonies to answer the voice which comes from the mother country. Now, that is a practical suggestion, and J think it is one of some moment. The relations of (Jreat Britain with her (!olonies are mysterious in their nature and origin, hut are also extremely delicate. Anything that savours of dictation coming from this country to the Colonies is not likely to he very well received. The Colonies being self-governing and self-acthig bodies, great empires like Canada and Australia, as some of them promise to be, are not likely to receive even suggestions coming from the mother country unless they have some power of deciding on them for their own part. The diairman has alluded to me on two verv^ delicate points, and they are so delicate that [ am almost afraid to follow him in dealing with them. i>ut allusion was made to the risk that a great country like Austi-alia, with a comparatively or relatively spar.se po))ulation, might run in danger of a war. The Chairman said, and said truly, that the other great nations of the world were beginning to see that they have an interest too in securing as much of the unoccupied places, of the world as they can, and he intimated that Australia might run some risk of invasion. I do not believe that ajiy Power in the world could control even the present population f Australia, being of Anglo- 8axon origin, so as to hold it for ever ; but I do believe a hostile Power might inflict the greatest possible temporary damage on Australia by a navy, or a landing, or the exaction of a great tine in money. It is tolerably well known that at a time when the last Government felt themselve.s compelled to take warlike measures, which did not happily result in war, against another European Power, that European Power, unless we are strangely misinformed, was fitting out a fleet in America for the very purpose of invading the Australian shore. But to show that on their part the Colonies are not unprej)ared to take their share of the burden, I would point to this fact that the Colonies of Australia ai-e taking on their own shoulders a great jtart of the task of de- fending themselves ; and though I believe that if their smaller fleets were so organised as to be comprehended in the British 18 liii|»friiil FU'et, it wrxild l.t- In-ttrr fuv all «-()ii(tHni»Ml, yet, an u Hi;^Mi Ht" t'Hort luul as n sign of -goodwill, | tliiiik tliosti iiiivie8 ato soino- what rcnmilcal>l<' symi)toins, I think iillnsiou was also nuule to the oaiiseH that w«m»' makiny this rinestion of ronfedcn-ation a v«ry leadinif on*-, and I tiiiid< tht-iv was ono omitted whicli I wiil veiitiiiv to d\vf.|l ii|)on now. It is that sinee tlie time when what I may call the niillitication school of politicians held sway in this fountry, and when it Mas almost deemed liij^h treason againsi, «rH of the iidvanced wc^ction of the LUm-iuI party liiid hitherto refrained from .j"»inin<,' the niovenuMit from some misapprehension tliat the term " Imperial FeiK'iation " was intended to imply somethinjL; liice a subjection both of (.'oloniai Chambers and of our own Parlian.ent to a (central autliority similar to that existinj^ in the United States. He was g\iu\ tn find that sucli appivhensions Averc entirely groundless. MR. ALFRED SLVLMONS Seconded these re.solutions, which wer(^ adopted. A vote of tliankb was then accorded to the Chairman for presiding, acknowledging which, MR. rORSTKR Said tlieir proceedings that day wt)uld do two things- -first, it would make it much easier to get over the ditficidties of havin*' a completely detailed federation hei-eafter, and, secondly, it would niiike it exceedingly diHicult for any man or any body of men, or iuiy Minister in England or in the Colonies, to neglect takiii" sucli measures as wouhl preserve and promote the union which they were determined to maintain. N(»TK. Tlie n-poit of the Hpeeclics fflvcn above is tiikeii from Tin Timea of I he 10th NovL'inlKT. Tlic following is a complete list of those who jitteudtul tlu' Confcirace held Nov. 18tli : - .laiues Austell. Esq., George Baden Powell. Esq.. C.M.G., R. M. Balhintyae. Es,.. Sir Henry Barklv. K.(1B.. G.C.M.G.. James Beaty, Esq., H. C. Beeton. Esq. (Agent- (^eiieral for British Cohnidnal. Sir Francis Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G. (Agcnt-General for New Zealand). Rowland P. Blemu-rhassett, Esq.. M.P., Sir Arthur BIytli. K.C.M.(i. I Agent.(7(«iu'ral for South Austmlia ). Stephen B(mrH«>. Esq.. Lord BraliouriK', Charles E. Bright. Esj|,, H..i.. tl.,. Earl of Dinuav..,, K P G.H,rK.. K,Tu.Kt..n Es,.. M.P.. Hon. Hnrol.l Find-Hatfo,, Hon. M.' U.0 Ujrj.t H,.„. w. E. F<.rHt«r. M.R. Sir Willi«„. F„x. K.O.M(} (|„L Qu....n. an,l). Wn.. 0,„l,o..,.,, Es<,. (Iat« of N.^ Z.alM.ul). J. E. (Jorst. Eh.,., QC. M.R. Mort.u. (J, n. Eh,,. ( N„t„I,. R T. Groifory Eh(, (Qn,M.uslam ) Sir Williau. H; (h'.^ury. K.C.M.(}.. William G,vhw,.|| P ';■ I;T ; o ^'""^' ««'"''^""- A.ln.iral Sir .J. Dalryn.,,K, Hay." Bart M.P. E H,Mu.ar . E..,.. M.P.. A. Stav.l.y Hill. Enq.. Q.(; M P iTu ^r !^^•^"^'^^•••y•yT. HolhuHl. K.O.M.G.. M.R. Hon. Thos.' Holt.M.L.C. ,N,.w South \Val..H). R. V. Holton. Eh,,.. E. W. Houho„. E8q Dr. (. lufrhH. J.J. Irvin., Eh.,. (Cai,,. (^olo„y). J. P. J,,„„. k, Captan. C. Johnnton... RN.. E. A. Jurl^.s, Eh.,. (Oana.la). J. F lt,'lH..y. Enq. R P. Lal.illi,.r... Esq., Janu-n LanM.l,.ll Esq., Natl.aMi,.| Lovin. Esq ban.,.H.,n S. Lloyd. Eh.,.. M.P.. LL-ut-Gemu-al R W Lj.wry C B. Col.m,.l H,.,iry Lunindon. AL^xanchr M'Artl.ur, Eh„ M.P.. Ri^lit Hon. Sir John A. Mao.l,.nal,l. K.C B.. H..n W J Ma,-" donaM R B^ Ma.-ki.. Eh.,., R. D. Dou^'las M.-Loan. Eh,,.. "(N.nv Zealand). A. Rtt.-h,.ft Martin. Eh.,. (Victoria). Uharl.H Marvin, Esq Hon J^ X. M.rrinmn. M.L.A. (Cai... Cd.my). G. Molint-nx. eJ S. V M.,rK«n. Esq., N. M..sl,.y. Es.,.. Kcnric B. Murray. Esq.. (Soo" L.ni.lon Chand...r of Conin...r.v). R. Lucas Nash, Esq.. Tlioinas Niblo.-k, Esq. (Cana.la). W. N. NidioIs,.n, Esq.. M.P tl... Marquis ..f Nonuan.ly. G.C.M.G. (lat.- Govonn.r of Victoria). G Paton Esq Colon.! Conway R...I,.. W. Affn.MV R.jh.. Esq.. John S. Printr. Esq (CaiH- Colony). Sir Ra\vs,)n W. Rawson. K.O.M.G.. C B G m' Reid, Es.,.. till' Rijrht H,.n. the Earl of Ros..l)orv, (}. W Rust'len Es,,' (late Vi.-toria). Albert Ruts..n. Es,,.. Sir Saul Saniu.d. K c"m G ( AK'out-Gen.'ral tW New S.nitl. WaLvs). A. San.lhaeh. Es.i Sir Ih.unas C. S..«nl..n. K.C.M.G. (lat,. l'ren,i..r ..f the Cape Col'ony) Robert Scott. Esq.. John Slirinq)ton, Es,,.. Charles Shut<.r. Es.,.. J c' Silbor, Esq., Ahml Sinun.nis. Esq.. Mr. Seri,.aut SiuDu. M.P Sir Vivii.cu Snnth (Chief Justi,-,.. Tasnunna I, R. Murray Smith, Es., C.Mf^ (AK-..nt.(;.aeral for Victoria). Samuel Smith, Esq., Mp' W. K.. Sop..r. Esq. (Cape Cd.my). Hon. Edward Stanho,.e Mp' ?.• Su>nm.^rs. Esq., W. S,unni..rs, Esq.. M.R. C. T.)tteul.mn, Es.,." Sir Charles Tupi,er, K.C.M.G.. C.B. (HiKi. C.munissioner f.,r Canada)' J. Stewart Tupper. Esq. (Cana.la). Alexander Turulmll. Esq. (Jamaica)' T. D. Wanliss, Esq., the Earl .)f Wemyss and March, William' Wcstorarth, Esq., Arn,)ld Whit,. Es.,. Captain A. C White Sir Samuel Wils.m, William Wilson. Es,,. ( late M.L.C. Victoria) J D Wo.)d, Esq., E. A. Wallace, Esq., James A. Youl, Es.,.. C.M G ' Frederick Y(mng. Esq. ' F. all Ine vain imao^iuallous Ihal //// the ahut sphere 0/ 7\mcs, Ihan Ihe eoueepiiou z.hleh ^low and Ihen funis renl, Ihal l/^ere arc in this eonniry a parly of men ,.ho are insensil,ie io Ine o-real digmiy and l/w oreal dnlie^ connected wilh liie maiulenanee of liu^. Coioniai hwfire of Evgiand There imve been safer- millions o-alherino- round liic valare of Ihd Empire. Pi may have been raiaed in zorono- ^ys; ind Ihiere is no man, I believe, worlhy oj lliC name of a slalesman—no man knozvn to me in I hie sf/ierc oP folilieal iiPe-whio is not sensibie Ihal the business of funding and op c/ierishinn those Colonies is one zvhieh has been so dislineily enlrusled by P^rovideuee to ii>e eare op the people of this eouulry, that 'ioc shionld almost as soon think of renouncino- ine very name of Enjylishmcn, as of renouncimr tne very .real duties ^vhiieh, passing beyoiid ine seas, are imposed upon us loith reoard to Inc more distant, but rot less dear, "portion, op this yreat Ih'itish Empiref -Srcech ,.f Arr. (Jladstomc ai il.e Mansion Iluuse Aii-ust 7, lii.Sf. ''In my opinion no minister in this country i^nl do his duty uPio negleets any opportunity of reeonstruetino; as mueh as possitile, our Colonial J:mpire, and of respondino- to those distant sympathies loliieh may become the source op incaleulable strength and hiapfiness to this tainf SjHX'ch oi" Mr. DiSKAKJ i, 1872.