THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM ON THE AUSTRALASIAN COLONIES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3354, 16 April 1868, Page 4

THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM ON THE AUSTRALASIAN COLONIES.

At the dinner given in Willis's Rooms, King-street, St. James's, on Saturday, January 25, forthepurpose of celebrating the eightieth anniversary of the establishment in New South Wales of the first Australian colony — Sir W. Denison, K.C.B. , in the chair— the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos said it -was impossible that differences of opinion should not occasionally occur in the government of any State. The eagerness of spirit and the immense and rapid development of such communities as our Australian colonies, must sometimes lead them to entertain views at variance with those of the home authorities, and questions must thus arise which would call for the exercise of much discretion and good temper. But daring the whole period of his connection with the administration of the colonies, he had never known any question that conld not be dealt with successfully, if it were only taken carefully in band before it had had time to fester into a grievous sore. (Hear, hear.) There was a homely saying which was perfectly true in the case of the relation of States as well as of individuals that short accounts make long friends. (Hear, hear.) He believed that the policy indicated in that maxim afforded the best means of disposing of any differences that might arise between the colonies and the mother country, and of preserving on both sides those feelings of good will which it was so much for their mutual interest to maintain. (Hear, hear.) He had been asked to propose upon that occasion the toast of " Prosperity to the Australasian Colonies," and he most willingly acceded to the invitation, it was a toast that a Colonial Minister must give with the strongest possible feeling of satisfaction. There were persons who thought that the maintenance of the existing connection with the colonies was of no advantage to the mother country. That was an opinion which might, or might not, be well founded ; bnt even those by whom it was maintained must regard it as a great advantage to the people of England that our Australasian colonies should continue to flourish, and that they should form on the other side of the globe a new English nation, ready to assist England in emergencies, to afford a home to her redundant population, and to supply food and harboura to her fleets. (Hear,hear.)lt teemed to him to beof vital importance to the interests of England that those colonies, many of which were larger than some countries in the whole civilised world that had ruled over the public policy of the human race, should continue to prosper, and not only that, but that they should advance in the path on which they had recently entered, and take an increasing share in the measures necessaryjfor their own defence. (Hear, hear.) He had readily accepted the invitation to attend that dinner, and felt much gratified in meeting upon that occasion many gentlemen whose acquaintance he had first made in his schooldays and university-days. They had since been engaged throughout the various Australasian colonies in the performancejof official duties, or in the transaction of commercial business, and their pretence in that room that evening brought home to the heart how intimate were the relations that existed, and that would, he hoped, continue to exist, between England and her great colonies. (Cheers.) He gave them cordially and earnestly the toast of " Prosperity to the Australasian Colonies," coupling with it the name of Sir Charles Nicholson. (Loud cheers.)