THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 937, 25 April 1868, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.

(Prom the "Timeß," Jan. 27.) The 80th anniversary of the first settlement of British colonists in Australasia was celebrated on Saturday by a public dinner in Willis's Rooms, St. James's, when about 200 gentlemen, variously connected with the colonies, sat down to a sumptuous entertainment. Sir William Denison presided, having on his right the Duke of Buckingham, Sir Charles Nicholson, Sir F. Rogers, General Sir E. Macarthur, Sir D. Cooper, Sir J. Dickinson, Sir J. H. Dalrymple, Mr. Marsh, M.P., Mr. A. Kinnaird, M.P., Sir H. W. Parker, Colonel Ward, Mr. Sheriff Macarthur ; and on the left Mr. Corry, M.P., Lord A. Churchill, Mr. J. A. Youl, Mr. H. Merrivale, Sir H. F. Young, Sir C. Clifford, Mr. O. Beirne, M.P., Mr. Justice Therry, Admiral Erskine, Alderman Sir W. Rose, Mr. F. S. Merewether, General Carey, Mr. Waterhouse, &c. On the removal of the cloth, the Chairman proposed the first toast, "The Queen, God bless her ;" which was drunk with enthusiasm. In giving "The health of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family," the President observed that loyalty included not only personal affection to the Sovereign, but to those near and dear to her. (Cheers.) The Australians were as loyal a population as any in the world (cheers,) and if any evidence of this were required they might pdint with pride to the enthusiastic reception which had recently been given by the colonists to his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. (Cheers.) The toast was drunk with all the honours. Mr. Wentwoeth, having been called upon by the chairman, proposed " The Army, Navy, and Volunteers." Whether they looked to the exploits of the British army in eai'ly history, from Oressy to Poitiers downwards, to the brilliant campaigns of Marlborough, or the still later glorious achievements of another great Duke in the Peninsula, in' France, and in Belgium, where the crowning victory took place, insuring the peace of the world for 50 years after, it was impossible not to feel that the same spirit which animated them in former times continued to actuate them at the present day (cheers) ; and if it should unfortunately be our fate to be involved in war, we might rely on it that the same pluck and courage which had carried us so triumphantly through so many battles would not be found wanting. With respect to the other branch of the service, the Royal Navy, it was unnecessary to dwell upon its merits. Its flag floated triumphant in every sea, and to the protection which ; it had thrown over the country they owed in a great degree the marvellous progress which had been made in all the arts of peace, in — agriculture, commerce, and manufacture a progress and prosperity unparalleled in the history of any other nation in the world. (Cheers.) How long this state of things would continue now that " the wooden walls of old England" were obsolete entirely depended on the efficiency with which the service was kept up. We were now getting an ironclad fleet, and he had no doubt our naval pre-eminence would be maintained. (Cheers.) With respect to our Volunteer force, he had watched their growth and efficiency with the deepest interest. He had observed the elasticity of their movements, their admirable drill, and, above all, the spirit and zeal they had thrown into the service ; and, if ever, unfortunately, their services should be required, they would prove a most valuable auxiliary to the army, and give a good account of any enemy which might have the temerity to invade our shores. (Cheers.) General Sir E. Macaethuk, X.C.8., returned thanks on behalf of the army. He had long been associated with the Australian colonies, almost from their very birth, having, as a lieutenant, accompanied the first military expedition to that distant land. Under the happy protection of this country these colonies had continued to flourish; they had gained strength and renown, and added materially to the prosperity and commercial wealth of the parent State. They were to be considered an importantintegral part of Her Majesty's great dominions. They had reached their present prosperity because they had been governed by law, order, and loyalty, and he had no doubt their future greatness would even surpasstheanticipationsof their most sanguine well-wishers. (Cheers.) Mr. Cobby, who was received with cheers, said the principal function of the navy in the time of peace was to protect the colonial and commercial interests of the Empire ; and he hoped he did not put an erroneous interpretation on the heartiness with which the toast he rose to respond to had been received by gentlemen connected with the most important colonies, and carrying on commercial transactions of the utmost magnitude, when he accepted it as a tribute to the zeal and efficiency of the service in the discharge of its duties in the Australian as in other seas. (Cheers.) But, however efficient had been, the services of the navy in this respect, it was satisfactory to know that Australia did not intend to lean exclusively on the mother country for her naval defence. (Cheers.) The colony of Victoria had formed a Naval Reserve, and one of our finest screw line of battle-ships — the Nelson — a name of happy omen, had been presented to the colony by the Admiralty (cheers) as a training ship, and was now on her way out, if she had not already arrived at her destination. An armour-clad ship was also in course of construction for the defence of the colony (cheers) ; and, although the larger part of the cost of building that vessel would be defrayed by the Admiralty, the cost of her maintenance, as well as that of the Nelson, would be borne by the colonial funds. He was afraid he could lay no claim to any credit for these arrangements, as they were completed by his hon. friend Sir John Pakington, before he entered on the duties of his present office; but he had the pleasure only three days ago of inserting £50,000 in the Estimates for the ensuing financial year towards the completion of the armour-clad for Victoria ; and, as it was agreed between the Imperial and Colonial Governments that in time of war that ship should be under the command of the senior naval officer on the station, she would be a valuable addition to our naval force, more especially as the number of our ai-moured ships was still so limited that we had few to spare for service in distant seas. It was possible that if a shadow of a doubt could have been entertained of the loyalty of Australia, the Government might have hesitated before contributing to the formation of an Australian naval force ; but if any sceptic could have harboured such a doubt, recent events must have undeceived him. (Cheers.) Ho might the more appropriately refjbr to those events in returning thanks for the navy because he could speak of them in connexion with the name of the most illustrious of English sailors (cheers) ; and although the Duke of Edinburgh possessed every quality to gain the attachment of all who had the honour of associating with him — to which he had no doubt the ladies of Australia had contributed their share (cheers) — ; the magnificent and enthusiastic reception which his Boyal Highness had everywhere expe-

rienced, demonstrated that although Eng. land and Australia might be said to stand " wide as the poles asunder," they were united by one common bond of loyalty to the Crown no less closely than if they were separated merely by some such imaginary •'boundary as that by which one of our counties at home was divided from another. (Cheers). It could hardly have failed to be the source of the highest gratification to the Duke of Edinburgh to find that those virtues which : had endeared Her Majesty the Queen to | her subjects at home (cheers) were equally appreciated, and liad secured her equal affection, in the most distant parts of her Empire. (Cheers). He might also be permitted to refer to one other proof of the sympathy and goodwill of Australia towards the mother country, and one which might not be considered altogether out of place in connexion with the navy. For some years, and until within the last few months, he had served as Chairman of the Executive and Finance Committee of their Royal Patriotic Fund. That fund, as they might be aware, was established by .Royal Commission for the relief of the widows and orphans of the soldiers, seamen, and marines who were killed in, or died from the effects of, the Russian war. Liberal contributions were received from all parts of the Empire. £315,000 was subscribed by British possessions, exclusive of the United Kingdom ; but Australia, in this respect, stood pre-eminent (cheers), her subscription having amounted .within a fraction to £150,000 — little short of one-half of the whole amount received from all the British possessions, including India ; and if the contributions from New Zealand were added the sum would amount to upwards of £170,000. (Cheers.) The navy, therefore, and the sister service, also, were under peculiar obligations to Australia for her munificence to the widows and orphans of their messmates and comrades who perished at war. (Cheers.) He had Already trespassed at too great length on their time, but before concluding he might be allowed to make one other remark, which might also be said to have some connexion with the navy. Perhaps their distinguished chairman might not thank him for reminding him that they had been associated together in naval administration more than a quarter of a century ago. At that time his hon. friend held a very responsible situation in a department with which he was himself connected as Civil Lord, and he could not speak in the presence of" so many of his friends without bearing testimony to the great ability which he displayed in the service of the Admiralty (cheers), of which he could point out numerous traces in works of great magnitude and utility in our dockyards, both at home and abroad, for which the country was indebted to the genius of Sir William Denison. (Cheers.) He begged again to thank them for the honour they had conferred on the navy. Colonel B. Torbens, in returning thanks for the Volunteers, bore testimony to the feeling of cordiality which existed between the colonies and the mother country. They fondly loved England, and earnestly desired the connection should be premanent. The last cause of bitterness between them had been removed when the last convict ship left the shores of this country, and nothing else could ever arise to interrupt the cordiality of feeling between them. He trusted that even Mr. G-oldwin Smith would learn before long that the wealth of Australia and its manhood were one and indivisible for maintaining the connection. He had no doubt their colonies would be found increasing sources, not of weakness, but of strength and prosperity to the mother country. (Cheers.) The Chairman next proposed "The Health of Her Majesty's Ministers," but in so low a tone of voice that in the unfavourable position occupied by the reporters very few of his observations reached them. The toast was drunk with " Three times three" cheers. The Duke of Buckingham said, on behalf of his colleagues, he had to discharge a most pleasing duty in returning thanks for the cordial manner in which the toast of " Her Majesty's Ministers" had been received. Such a reception from so numerous a body of men deeply interested in the progress and prosperity of their colonies afforded no slight satisfaction to himself and his colleagues, especially when he looked back to the circumstances under which the Administration was formed. Lord Derby assumed office at a time when the vessel of the State was not floating in smooth water ; it was beset by shoals and squalls ; but little over a year had elapsed when, thanks to his good guidance and tried experience, and to the great ability of his hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer (cheers,) it got into smoother water and deeper soundings. It always happened, certainly in England at least, that the toast of "Her Majesty's Ministers," whatever party might be in power, was received with respect and good wishes. Irrespective of party feeling in this country, there was always a strong desire that the good ship should be well manned and well steered ; and the reception they had to-night met with was an earnest that the same feeling prevailed in Australia. TheirAustralianfriends, though not English by name, were Britons at heart. They were Australians by name and by interest, but they were the children of England, and looked to her as their mother country. From all they had seen it was manifest they really did love this country. (Cheers.) Their wish was that the ship might sail long in smooth water, fearing no sndden shock ; or, if a shock came, it might be of the wave, not of the lock, and they would say, — Tear noc to meet the sea, Our hearts, our hopes are all with thee. (Cheers.) That, he believed, was the feeling which animated all the colonists of Australia, and that feeling reigning throughout England had brought her through many a time of trial. (Cheers.) He could not forget, in returning thanks for Her Majesty's Ministers, that the position he held was one having peculiar relations with the colonies ; and he could only hope that when he no longer held that office he might be able to say that any complaints or differences which might arise between the colonies and the home Government during its tenure had not arisen from the coiu'sc he had pursued, and that hereafter he might be mentioned as having done his best for the interest of the colonies. (Cheers.) Separated as they were by half the circumference of the globe, differences and mi sunder standings vvould more or less often arise, and when they did occur they required great temper and discretion to meet( them. Since the seals of the Colonial-office had been intrusted to his care he confessed he had not seen that any question had arisen which ought not to be settled calmly and readily if only it was met at once and disposed of before it had time to grow into a sore or grievance. There was a very homely saying, but it was a very true one between colonies and the mother country, " Short accounts make long friends." He believed the prompt settlement of every question that arose was the true way of disposing of it for the interests and good feeling' of both parties. (Cheers). A toast had been placed in his hands — "Prosperity to the Australian Colonies " — and he

should propose it with the greatest heartiness. It seemed to him that on every ground it must be of the utmost importance to England that these large colonies — countries he should call them — should flourish and continue in the path they were' now pursuing, taking measures to maintain and defend their own position and prosperity. His right lion, friend the First Lord of the Admiralty had alluded to this new phase, and it was a most gratifying one in history, that the Australian colonies were taking measures for the protection of their own ports and commerce. The same course was being taken by Australia, on the one side of the globe, and by Canada, on the other, and both deserved the greatest credit for it. (Cheers.) The toast was drunk with all the honors, andacknowledgedby Sir Chaeles Nicholson, who gave "The Houses of Parliament," which was responded to by the Duke of Buckingham (for the Peers) and by Mr. Mabsh (for the Commons). The other toasts were " The President," proposed by Mr. Justice Theeby, and acknowledged by the Chaibman ; " Our Guests," proposed by Admiral Eeskine, and responded to by Sir F. Rogebs ; " The V ice-Presidents and Stewards ;" " The Honorary Secretary," &c. Mr. Harlcer was toastmaster.