THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1909. THE IMPERIAL TIE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14447, 13 February 1909, Page 8

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1909. THE IMPERIAL TIE.

The mnrcli of ihe years is relentless in its untiring precession. We are reminded of the Jliglit of time in the fact that nearly two years have elapsed since the assembling in London of the hist" Colonial Conference, whilst but another two years remain ere the succeeding gathering of a like nature, under the more fitting and comprehensive title of "Imperial Conference," will commence its deliberations in the great capital of the Empire. And the reminder comes in the shape of a cable message- from London informing us that Lord Crewe, in his capacity of Secretary of State for the Colonies, has instructed Sir Charles Lucas, accompanied by Mr A. Pearson, to pay a prolonged visit to Australia and New Zealand. This visit on the part of a, distinguished member of tho Colonial Oflice—for Sir Charles Lucas occupies the responsible position of Senior Assistant-under-secretary to Lord Crewe-not only represents ail exceedingly gratifying and practical outcome of the last Conference, but also puts into effect, as The Times properly points out, the hint thrown out by Lord Northcote in his speech at the banquet tendered to- him in London last month, when he urged the desirability of more of the public men of Great Britain visiting and studying the colonies. Lord Northcote also mentioned the great advantage which would accjiio. fo jfe Emiiito "if

the Colonial Office would arrange for an interchange of officials, and thus allo,v some „f j ts st ., (f to tllko sm , i( , o i" the colonics. Now, Lmd Crewe's action and L„ n [ X ort | loote . s , K j vie(l nre directly in lino with two of Mm resolutions discussed at the Colonial Confereuro in London in April ami Hay of mi. The first U f tl,e«o resolutions ellirmed that "it is durable to establish a, system l,y which (ho several Governments ror,roso„ t „,j shall bo kept informed, ,luri„ :; the porioils between the Conference, in regard to matters winch have been or may h? subjects for discussion, by mean, 'of ■, pp' nil: , nell ' b . secretarial staff, chared nuclei-tbodirrc-tioii of the- Secretary of Stale for the Colonies with the duty of obtaining j,',. formation for the use of the Conference, of attending to its resolution'!, m \ 0 * conducting correspondence on matters relating to its alfnirs." And the second resolution, moved by Jtr Deahiu on the. last, day of the Conference, was worded as follows:—"That the Secretary of State for the Colonies be- invited to frame a scheme which will create opportunities for members of the permanent staff of the Colonial Office to acquire more intimate knowledge of the circumstances and conditions of the colonies, with whose business they have to deal, whether by appointments, temporary iulerehamrcs, or periodical visits of officers, or similar means." The first resolution practically received effect later in the year, as was shown in a despatch under date Downing street, September 21, ISKI7, addressed by Lord i'ilgin to the Governors of the selfgoverning colonies, relative to the reorganisation of the Colonial Office. Briefly- stated, this reorganisation was as follows:—The previous geographical distribution of work in the Colonial Office was auoliphed, and three separate sub-departments were constituted.' The first, or Dominions Department, under ■Sir Charles Lucas, deals with the business of the .self-governing colonics; the second, or Crown Colonics Department under Mr Antrobus, as its title signifies, deals with the business of tho Crown colonies; the third, under Air Cox, deals mth general questions. S e »j„ g that this an-auirement disposed 0 f only tlireo of the four assistant secretaries previously subordinate to the Under-secre-taiy for the Colonies, this left one of Mr Just, to fill the position of the first permanent secretary of the Imperial Conference, ii> terms of the resolution we have already quoted. It will thus be seen that "the visit of Sir Charles Lucas to Australia and New Zealantl is fraught with nianv plea*hi" possibilities. He is, as our cable intel! ligouoo informs us, to be regarded lls a pioneer, who comes to search out the land with a view to report-ilia; upon tho practicability of tho interchniuies and appointments foreshadowed in Mr Dealers resolution. F OT j„ the able speech, in which he supported that resolution ill' Deakin suggested that both in the civil and military sen-ices inte-relnm-vs of officials of about tho same salary ami standing might, he arranged between Britain and the colonies. He also '""ted at the advantages which would he certain to accrue if ; re!11 ti„,e to tune tho Colonial (Jllice stall' was recruited from yonK , mcn hnm or brought up in the Greater llritaiu over the seas. And the argument splayed by Mr Doakin in support "f las suction was cctaiuly a cogent o ne. K os: ,id : "If tho Colonial Uihce is to continue to occupy its present relations to all these various '-lommions, it i s perfectly certain that' as its responsibilities increase its equipment must increase also, and i„ that, equipment a conspicuous place should be given to men who speak from personal knowledge, and who deal with distant countries with whom they sympathise a.ter making themselves familiar with the facts upon which they are called to advise." The minion to these, shores of Sir Charles Lucas, therefore opens up before the eyes of our nn.l bifaona young mo,, tt p ros , iect ln tlm future of being selected for service in the Colonial Office; and, hcari„„ j„ m»«l Hie peculiarly delicate nature of his mission, wo have a right to he assured of the capabilities of the chosen envoy. Upon this aspect of the matter we are happy to dcda.ro there need b« no forebodings. The Times is authority for the statement that Sir Clmrlw Lucas's quiet judgment and kindly fact will assure him a- cordial welcome. Lord Wgm, in the despatch nmionnciV the reorganisation, declared that Sir Charles W s long experience of colonial administration J la , bcon supplemented "y special knowledge of immieratioa questions, in addition to which he"brin»» to bear upon bis duties many years' close study of colonial history" *A., ,

matter of fact, Sir Charles Lucas ha, ™ttcn and published a . work entitled An Historical Geography of the British Colonies," besides a book on "The Canadian War of 1312." To give him bw full title, Sir Charles Prwtwcod Was, K.C.M.G, C.U., is the ,on of «» bte Br H. J. Luca, Educated at Winchester, bo pradimted with distinction at Bnlliol Colle™ 0 * fwd, ant] curried some «f the most coveted educational prizes from that Mat of learning. Ho m]s to (ho -'• m 1885, and, «ftcr ;, lonr, and honourable career m the Colonial Office, wat the ago of 56 i„ the prime of l,fe ' , XnGcllo ' K t0 **T *e* Zealand will ff M>ly and heartily greet this distinguished visitor i„ full f aith t| lat llis presence amongst us will help to 'deepen the Imperial sentiment and .strengthen tie Imperial tic, thus cementing m oro ewsey than ever pormanent union between this Dominion and the Mother, land.