W.E.A.

Northern Advocate, 18 June 1926, Page 8

W.E.A.

SYSTEMATIC COLONISATION. Tho following is a summary of the second lecture in History to the local branch of the W.E.A. last evening. After the loss of the American colonies in 1783, colonisation was regarded with more interest by tho British Government, which, took an active part in colonial administration. Canada from the time of its capture (1759) till .1774 was. under military rule. The French seem on the whole to have been satisfied with tho new government. In 1774 the Quebec Act gave legality to the jErench language and the French [system of law; and Canada was plaeiqd under a nominated Council. During'’the ‘American War of Independence, Canada remained loyal. This was followed by immigration into Canada both by direct channels from the British Isles, and by loyalists

from United States. These “United Empire” loyalists and most of the British settlers, settled in Ontario (then known as Upper Canada) while Quebec (Lower Canada) remained French. The growing British population began to demand a now constitution, and this led to the Canada Act of 1791. This divided Canada into Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec). Immigration went on apace. In 1812, Canada repulsed an invasion from United States (Napoleonic ■wars). Rapid expansion took place in Upper Canada, and tbe British clement became* predominant. The French (Lower Canada) fearing that they would be swamped by the British, were persuaded to rebel in 1837. A rebellion also took place in Upper Canada by a discontented faction. The British Government sent Lord Durham ho investigate the question of government in Canada. The famous Durham Report recommended the union of Upper and Lower Canada under one government, with complete self-government. This constitution stood for some years, until further expansion indicated a tendency towards federation. British occupation of South Africa may be dated from 1815. The Dutch settlers were then well established. British immigration soon began. British sentiment soon clashed with Dutch sentiment over tho native question. Tho Dutch took the extreme attitude of enslaving the natives if possible, British policy, dictated by tho “philanthropist” movement, was to regard the natives ns equals, and “raise their standard of civilisation by appealing to their sense of justice.” On the native policy there was no hope of compromise. Britain, too, further alienated the Dutch by ignoring their language customs and laws. The Dutch feeling insecure under British control, began in 1836 the Great Trek, settling chiefly in Natal. Britain then annexed Natal. The Dutch trekked to the Orange River region. Britain’s representative annexed this, but the Home Government ordered its abandonment. Thus the Dutch set up the Orange River republic, and had also entered by this time (1856) beyond the Vaal Diver.

The first settlement of • Australia in ,1789 was the convict settlement on Port Jackson. When the convicts became free, they were allowed to set-, tie in the country. Soon free settlers arrived, and the question arose of whether ex-convicts (or “emancipists”) were to have the same rights as free settlers. In the meantime, exploration and settlement went ahead rapidly. Convict settlements had been made in Tasmania (1804) and Bids-

82'.'\ A liv 1 settlement was | made in Melbourne (1842). Tasmania was politically separated in ISI2 and was given self-government in 1853. The rest was under Now South Wales. The gold rush of 1849-51 gave a great stimulus to settlement, and led to the desire for separation. Thus Victoria became a separate colony in 1851, and Queensland in 1557. The convict system had in the meantime been abolished; and the rapid development of the colonies paved the way for complete self-government, which was granted to Victoria and Now South Wales in 1854, and a few years later, to Queensland. T'he first settlement of West. Australia was in 1829. Up to 1840 it made little progress, and the settlers asked for convicts from Home. Thus the convict, system began when it was being dropped in the Eastern settlements, and was continued till 1805. Thus self-government was retarded,. South Australia. ulas first settled according to tho Wakefield system. The early difficulties wore eventually overcome, especially after Sir George Grey’s arrival in IS4I, and this too became on the whole a successful colony. The chairman of the meeting was Mr Price.