ANGLO COLONIAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10014, 28 December 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

ANGLO COLONIAL NOTES.

( FROM OUR OWN CORUKSPOVDENT. ] London', November 15. MR. CHAMBERLAIN ON* COLONIAL AFFAIRS. Oirn new Secretary of State for the Colonies lias just been making another important sjjeeqJi on colonial alTiirs. The occasion was the farewell banquet to Colonel Gerard Smith, the newly-appointed Governor of Westralia. Mr. Chamberlain had aomo characteristically caustic remarks to make about colonial Governors generally, lie objected to what is " pleasantly called the patronage of the Colonial Office," because in his opinion it produces, in certain of tho public, the impression that the Secretary of State " lias always in his gift a number of eligible and lucrative appointments which are at tho disposal of anyone who has failed in other walks of life." That was where tho roars of laughter came in. There was a was a good deal of force In the sarcasm ! Further, Mr. Chamberlain opined that a Colonial Governor oiiL'ht to possess "high character and good social standing ; a large experience of all'.tirs, tact and discretion, exceptional intelligence, and an attractive personality." Well, I imagine this list of qualifications will satisfy the requirements of the most exacting colony, and as Colonel Smith was appointed under Mr. Chamberlain's renin lie must have listened with pleasure to tho implied attribution to himself of the possession of all those rare good qualities. That Mr. Chamberlain added an expression of regret that " as day by day the (nullifications increase, there is a tendency to diminish tho emoluments, and here again I regret to say the laugh came in most inappropriately and unfeelingly; however, Mr. Chamberlain went on to declare that there was not and never had been any real dilliculty in finding men who aro willing and anxious to accept positions which certainly do not oiler great pecuniary attractions for the h ipe of being able to render goad service to the Empire," and he thought England might be proud of that fact. But when Mr. Chamberlain came to the heart of his subject lie rose to noble and inspiring eloquence. It was refreshing to hear his stirring words, which clothed broad and liberal views of the future of tho great colonial empire of England after the " Little England" twaddle which so recently seemed in fashion. Here in the old country," h<i said, "We have nothing but sympathy for these vigorous oll'shoots of the parent race." We have, of course, relinquished absolutely all right to interfere; wo have hardly a claim, except, perhaps, the claim of kinship and mutual interest, even to oiler suggestions. And then he set forth his ideal of the colonial future. He said:—"l look forward to the time, which I think is not far distant, when our grc c colonies in Australasia will imitate the wise example of Canada, and will agree to unite, for purposes which are common to ail. The federation of Australia will be the consummation of a great idea, in which local jealousy andlpctty ambitions will be buried in the foundation of that mighty commonwealth which is destined—and perhaps in a time which, at all events, is historically visible— to outstrip the waning greatness of the lagging civilisation of the older countries of Europe. It will be a step in the direction of that Imperial unity which we cherish as the ideal future of the British race (renewed cheers); and it will enable this old country of ours to extend its famo and its history in the greatness of its children across the sea.' Further, Mr. Chamberlain said ''I will venture to claim two qualifications for the great olllje which I hold, one of the most important that can be held by any Englishman. I believe in I lie British Empire, and I believe in the British race. 1 believe that the British race is tho greatest of governing races that the world'has ever seen, and I say that not merely as an empty boast, but as proved and evidenced by the success which we have had in administering the vast dominions connected with these three small islands, and I believe there are no limits to its influence in the future. He is a craven and poorspirited creature who despairs of the future of flic British race." To which " nil the people shall say 'Amen.'" Those at tho banquet didn't exactly say " amen," but they did say " Hear, hear," ami shouted it very lustily, too Referring to this neniorablo speech, and under the heading, " After Sir George Grey," the Westminster Gazette, " congratulating Mr. Chamberlain on a timely and stimulating ■speech," say.'" It was reported some time since that Mr. Chamberlain was devoting himself to the st.mlv of the writings of Sir George Grey. Lord Ripon's successor seems to have sat at the foot of the great Colonial statesman to good purpose. We have never read a speech more thoroughly permeated by the spirit of the veteran political idealist whose statue stands in Capetown, and whose memory is cherished with such touching devotion by white and black alike in New Zealand, than that which Mr. Chamberlain delivered at the Imperial Institute. Sir George, iu dealing with the proper treatment of the colonies, has preached, as all the world knows, ' self-government, more self-govern-ment, still more self-government. I '' The Westminster further remarks "As to federation, what could Sir George Grey ask better than this?"—quoting the words I have already given—and it adds that "on the text of' God's Englishmen,' Mr. Chamberlain also let himself go in a manner quite after the heart of the man who helped to save India by acting on his own responsibility during the mutiny." Sir George Grey himself is much delighted with the speech, especially as affording evidence that he was correct in his belief that soino of his most cherished views 011 these important points are strongly held by the present Ministry, by Lord Salisbury and Mr. Balfour, as well as .Mr. Chamberlain himself.

THE OFFICE OF AGENT-GENERAL. Assuredly the colonics are coming more and more to the front, day by day, as most valuable factors in tlio greatness and prosperity of the British empire. Kveryono intelligently interested in the future of the colonies was sorry to read that remark of the New Zealand Premier about the colonial Agency-General in London being a " trivial" affair of no great importance, and to see his hint that the appointment of Agent-General might be held without pay—impliedly as a mere political honour in reward to some wealthy supporter. J. do hope that no such mischievous scheme . s this will be adopted. The effect would be deplorable.

It is of the highest importance that New Zealand should be creditably and ably represented at tlio Imperial seat of Government, and in the world's metropolis. lam certain that if Mr. Ward learned anything while he was in London, he must have learned that. It is unfortunate that so few colonial Ministers know London, or oven havo been there. London is au education for any man of ordinary capacity and intelligence, and is an indispensable part of the education of any colonial statesman. Many of the grosi blunders which have been made from time to time in New Zealand might have been avoided had Ministers possessed a fuller knowledge of the larger world, instead of having their experience limited to the narrow local grooves of a small community. Hull as all Ministers anil colonial statesmen cannot or will not visit the mother country it is at least most urgent that they should have a competent representative in London, who will so far as possible keep them in touch with the world's centre, and who will act for the colony at headquarters in case of need. The services of an unpaid Agent* General would probably be worth just what they cost. No doubt many in the colony realize this, but some do not, and it is to these that I desire to point out the mistake they will make if they minimise or reduce the influence and efficiency of the New Zealand Agency-General in London. It would be a grave blunder and a costly one. The plan could not last long, but it might easily last long enough to bo the means of irreparable mischief.

The telegraphic report in tho Times to-day that Mr, W. V. Reeves is to succeed Sir Westby Perecl as Agent-General has created ft i;ood ileal of comment. The opinion is generally expressed that tho New Zealand Government are very unwise not to secure a continuance of the valuable services admittedly rendered to the colony by Sir Westby, provided this was feasible. I believe, however, that Sir Westby would not have been at all disposed to' accept another re appointment on the terms of the last one, but that unless the appointment had been offered him for a term of years in the usual way he would have declined to do moro than hold office for a reasonable time until his successor should be appointed. But kindly understand that I have no authority for sayin!? this. It is a mere expression of my own opinion. Still I think it is nob tar off the mark. , Mr. Reeves is, of course, unknown here as yet, but if be plays his curds well and exercises tact and judgment, he will not lack the friendly co-operation and countenance which the New Zealand Agents-General have always enjoyed in Loudon. That he will have no sinecure in the task of carrying out tho re-arrangement with reference to the conduct: of the Government loan and stock business-its transfer, that is to say, from the Bank of England to the Bank of New Zealand. This is to itself a largo order, ami

an Agent-General must be thoroughly an fait else lie sinks into permanent disesteein in London financial circles.

PERSONAL AND GENERAL. Sir Westbv Perceval has consented to preside nt the dinner of the Article Club, and to open the subsequent debate on Our Colonial Trade." The Article Club is connected with manufactures and commerce, and aims at extending useful knowledge with regard to these subjects. About 4.) applications havo been received for the vacant post in the Canterbury College. They are now undergoing the process of sifting. Mr. M, C. Thomson, 0110 of the directors of the Colonial Consignment Company, leaves this week for New Zealand, through which colony, as well as through Australia, lie will make a lengthened tour in the interests of his company. At the meeting of the Council of the Royal Colonial Institute, on Tuesday. Mr. 10. J. Watt of New Zealand was elected a fellow of the Institute. New Zealand Steele dropped with others during the panic of last Saturday, and at the beginning of this week fours opened at 108-1 '!■!• per cents, 103-105; threes, 91 93. They have since, however, recovered fully a point, and the latest quotations to-day are: Fours, 109 111; 3.J per cents, 103-105 ; threes, 9291. It is noteworthy that the Standard gives decidedly lower quotations, viz., 10SJ109i for fours; 103-104 for 31 per cent. This is curious and characteristic. Mr. J. H. Witheford informs me that he has been requested to accept a seat on the board of the Moanataiari Gold Mining Company, and lie has consented to do so. Sir George Grey was looking remarkably well to-day, and seemed in excellent spirits, he gets out daily, ho tells me, in tho present mild weather. Mr. C. R. Carter, formerly M.H.R., for a Wellington constituency, whose sad bereavement in tho loss of a beloved wile, 1 had tho regret of recording in a recent letter, has decided to leave shortly on his return to New Zealand, where, he says, ho hopes to spend the remainder of his days. Mr. Tom Mandeno Jackson,and Mr. Arthur Appleby will he among the chief vocalists at the Australasian Chili's coming concert, Madame Amy Shcrwin will probably sin?, and possibly one or two other colonial musician:: will take part in the performance. Mr. H. I!. Vogel delivered an interesting lecture last Sunday, at the South Place Institution, ti'isbury, on "The Maoris of New Zealand." He was listened to with much attention, and received a cordial vote of thanks.

The Rov. Leonard M. Isitt has been stay-1 ing at Clapham with his sister, Mrs. Dicken, who, by the way, is a very accomplished musician and charming pianiate. He leaves to-night on another tour, or rather Tcinperauco crusade, iu the provinces, He appears in the best of health and spirits, and as fiercely combative against all vice as ever. Mr. Witheford is warmly advocating cordial co-operation between Great Britain, New Zealand, and Australia on the oue hand and the United States of America on tlio oth«r in respect of mail and telegraphic scrviceaand nil other means of friendly and commercial intercommunication.

An ex-director of a certain New Zealand finance company remarked to me yesterday that had not wool fallen 3d per lb the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company and tho Hank of New Zealand would have remained prosperous. On Tuesday last the annual general meeting of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company was held at Edinburgh, Mr. R. Stewart presiding. The chairman referred to tho fall in value of all the company's products, excepting wheat, but said that excepting for looses from snow, all the company's New Zealand estates were prospering well. A dividend of 4 per cent, was declared, and a rote of confidence in tho directors was passed. Next Tuesday all the Agents-General are to meet Mr. Chamberlain to talk over the question!) of the Pacific cable and Vancouver mail service.

In official circles the opinion is strongly expressed that Mr. Huddart will get a subsidy from the Imperial Government for his Vancouver service.