SIR GEORGE GREY AND FEDERATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11148, 22 August 1899, Page 4

SIR GEORGE GREY AND FEDERATION.

In discussing the question of federation, the opinions and conclusions of Sir George Grey have frequently been appealed to. We have just received some notes of Sir George Grey's on the subject, which were found amongst his papers by Mr. S. T. George. Judging by the firmness and clearness of the handwriting, these notes were penned soon after his return from the Australasian Convention in 1891. The Bill laid before the Convention was considerably different from the measure to which the assent of the colonies is now being obtained, so that it cannot be predicated with anything like certainty what course Sir George Grey would have taken in the present circumstances. Of one thing, however, we may be quite certain, namely, that lie would have endeavoured to promote the very fullest discussion of the whole subject. If he had been a member of the present Parliament lie would have insisted that the matter should not have been smothered as it has been. Sir George Grey's notes are as follow —

These arrangements are, however, but a step in advance towards the groat end to bo ultimately obtained—" The federation of all I lie English-speaking nations." With a common language, a common literature, a common legislation, common sympathies, and a common faith, it appears to be their duty to unite to give to the world nt large, the vast benefits which would spring from such a union. Thai accomplished, what a vista of innumerable blessings for mankind loom in the great future which would then have been opened to man. Possibly one common system of federation uniting all nations. ... It seems most natural and most easy for Canada, Australia, Now Zealand, and other great portions of the Empire to follow out what they believe to be their own destinies in all subordinate particulars, whilst England would hardly like to bo fettered in carrying out those immense duties which she has undertaken in India and other parts of the world. It would be a pity when 6he has achieved such wonderful results to fetter her in any way from following out the great career upon which Providence lias permitted her to enter, In fact, all English-speaking peoples must for years look to her as the great mother, who has called them all into existence, i\nd wish to see her continue to the last, if not possessed of tlifl largest English-speaking population, still the country to which the others look with a regard and veneration of which they cannot divest themselves. . . , Above nil things, any form of federation into which we enter should be such a one as would present no obstacle to the united States from rendering the immeasurably great service to mankind which would result from its ultimately becoming a member thereof.

Probably these notes were made as memoranda for some careful declaration on the whole question, which Sir George Grey foresaw would soon largely occupy public attention. Sir George Grey always inclined to look forward to some kind of Imperial Federation; indeed, as will be seen, he had in his mind what has lately been much talked about, but which, at that time, was thought to be absolutely visionary, namely, a union of the Anglo-Saxon race. That has been brought to ordinary attention by the sympathy manifested by England to America during the war of the latter country with Spain, but it was in Sir George Grey's mind many years before there was any sign of armed intervention in Cuba, But the condition of affairs at present seems to show that the only possibility of obtaining either an Imperial Federation, or a union of the AngloSaxon race, lies in the prior federation of groups of the British colonies. Anyone must see at once that the cause of Imperial Federation has been greatly helped forward by the union of the colonies of North America into one great State, and undoubtedly another forward movement would be possible if Australasia had a Federal Parliament which could speak for all the colonies in these seas. The notes of Sir George Grey, printed above, fragmentary though they are, will be of much interest at the present time.