ENGLAND AND HER COLONIES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1248, 30 January 1896, Page 37

ENGLAND AND HER COLONIES.

London, January 22

At a banquet to Lord Lamington (the new Governor of Queensland), at which 200 persons were present, Mr Chamberlain, in the course of a speech, said the incidents in the Transvaal had shown that it was impossible for a portion of the Empire to be in danger without an echo from the whole of tho Empire. England's love of peace was regarded as a weakness, and her disregard of criticism was supposed to confer the right of insult ; but the prestige of the Empire was held in trust for the British people throughout the world, and he was determined that the rights of Great Britain should be maintained while she at the same time fulfilled her duties. Though isolated, the colonies were secure. He urged the colonies to develop commercial routes and unite for mutual defence, as a federated Empire was % potent factor in the peace of the world. Their departing guest would, ho predicted, aid in* tightening the bonds of union, and, he added, it was impossible to foretell to what greatness Queensland might attain. Lord Lamington, in replying to the toast of his health, said he was well aware that Sir Henry Norman, the late Governor of Queensland, had smoothed the path for him in the colony. He added that he fully approved of Imperial Federation.