"THE COLONIES."

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7372, 25 January 1902, Page 3 (Supplement)

"THE COLONIES."

In the course of a speech that contained ratliei: " less than usual of amusing matter his lordship paid an eloquent tribute to toe bponfaneous assistance forthcoming from the colonies at " a moujent of great difficulty," and said that by their action they had not o.er(rJy enlarged the conception of «U Kmmr: in the imagination of tilworld, but made what had be«si» before only a high ideal or matter of fact. Then, turning to the Prince, Lord Rosebery said:

" May we not hope, sir, that one result of your journey round the world may be this, that the fact may become more and more emphasised, that the bond which unites the Empire may become not more stringent, not more blinding, but at any rate more systematised and more businesslike than at present, ii

that be so, if that bo part of the result of your visit, sir, we, all of us, of every party and of every class, will have one more cause of rejoicing in that great and solid achievement. We may not live to see it. It raaj come to-morrow. We cannot tell the moment at which we are destined to see the federation of the Empire. We know that when we see the flash of lightning, In a moment, or it may be a long time, that certainly we shall hear the following thunder, and we know, we who stand here to-day, that whether we be permitted or not to see the Land of Promise, we are as sure as we stand here that this Empire will be federated, will be united, will be held togettier in a bond noi .more material but move cementing than that which now exists."

Mr. Chamberlain's name was coupled with the toast, and loud and long were "-.he cheers that rang through the hall when " Moatlhodi" rose to reply. His opening concerned the contrast between the great self-governing colonies of today and those same countries forty years ago, when the Prince's father visited Canada and laid the foundation stone of the Parliament Buildings at Ottawa. He did not attempt to demonstrate statistically the marvellous material progress made in that period, but enlarged op the growth of Imperial spirit thas has synchronized therewith: "But 1 while there has been this marvellous progress, this growth in all that goes to make great nations, happily for us, and as I think for them, it has been accompanied by a still more eager claim on the part of the colonleg to be considered as joint heirs with us as partners In the glories ami traditions of the Britsh EmpL< . Ana let me add that it has c i >wn IWrp to be ever more willing to uccept the responsibilities is \viml ns the privileges of the situation."

Concerning the outward and visible, sign of that willingness, Mr. Chamberlain said; "It is a matter of great and suggestive importance, \ hat during the present war t, i minion of Canada and the States of Australasia have between them sent an army of eighteen thousand men, second to none, to share with British soldiers the dangers and the sufferings of the war, and at the same time another army exceeding fifty thousand in number has been raised in South Africa itself. (Cheers.) This material aid, the advantage of which cannot be exaggerated, has been made more valuable by the moral support which has been extended to us by our brethren across the seas. The aid which they have given us in men, and the aid which' they have given us in sympathy, are the first -fr.uits of that growing sense of kinship and common interest -which the journey of Their Royal Highnesses is certain to promote. (Cheers.) The British Empire is said to be loosely coiopacted. Yes, but the invisible nerves of sympathy which ' run throughout that great organism no"w throb in unison, the same spirit animates us all, a common patriotism binds, us together, and we may look forward with confidence to the future in the belief that our union now cemented by dangers incurred n common, will lead to the peace of Ihe world, and will certainly secure the prosperity and happiness of the British Empire." (Prolonged cheers.)