PATER'S CHATS WITH THE

Otago Witness, Issue 2288, 6 January 1898, Page 51

PATER'S CHATS WITH THE

Another year has rolled by, and historically it has been an important one. We have celebrated the longest reign in British history, and in celebrating it have given birth to new methods of dealing with colonies. You have all read of the history of the colonial possessions of European natiosas iv the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. They were all established and maintained purely to benefit the mother countries. In the caae of Spain the restricted policy adopted caused the whole of bee colonies to break away, excepting tha two solitary remaining ones — the Philippines in the far east, and Cuba in the far west— and thsse are only held by military force, not voluntarily as ia the casa with us.

And Britain adopted a policy almost as strict, with the result that the American colonies rebelled. It ia possible that tha rebellion would have been crushed if the colonists had nob got outside assistance. But the French he'ped, and, getting command of the sea for a time, the two in combination brought Britain to her knees. From, that time onward the colonies weie treated with indifference ; for what wa« the uee of establishing colonies when they could not b9 kept under 1

Bat latterly a great change has taken, place, and a policy ia being adopted directly opposite to that of the last century, and to carry out the same purpose with another added. When it was ssen that colonies would not allow themselves to be crippled for the benefit of the Mother Country, they were given a form of government which was so elastic as to allow, and even to •encourage, them to cut themselves adrift.

But duricg the past few years the opinion has been steadily growing in Britain, an 3 out of it, that the colonies must not separate, but that they must federate in three groups — Canada, South Africa, aad Australasia—these three having thair Federal Parliaments to legislate for their reapectiva groups of colonies ; and that these three groups and the Mother Covmtry should form a world-wide Britannic Federation represented by a Britannic Parliament. The idea is a noble one, isn't it 1 And is it a dream only? The invitation extended to colonial Governors to meet the British Government in confeience afc the time of the Diamond Jubilee was a happy thought, and it was happily carried into effect. When the colonial Premiers wero made Privy Councillors it " was looked upon by many as an act of courtesy, but nothing more. It was certainly a peaceful ac 1 ", but it established a precedent. Privy Councillors are confidential advisers : and how can the colonies be more respectfully considered, their rights acknowledged, and their confidence won, than by asking their advice when the empire is in danger 1 and how can colonies better maka known their weaknesses and strength than in a conference where those intimately in touch with the colonies meet in open Sebate 1 At present we can hardly measure the value of the Jubilee celebrations in so far as colonial Premiers were concerned, but the foundation was laid for that federation of the British units which ia to unite the whole in one gigantic offeusive and defensive alliance. And this brotherhood is being made absolutely necessary by the action of France and Germany. They are aiming at large colonial possessions — mainly, I assume, for th» trade they are worth. Both are strongly protective, and are doing all they can to win wealth, principally at the expense of Britain. On this point it is the policy of Spain ia the sixteenth century and_ France in the eighteenth century over again. But It seems to me that both nations are making efforts that will not give permanent results. Neither nation establishes colonies by an overflow of population. The population of France is at a standstill, and even when Frenchmen do migrate they seem to prefer British possessions to settle in. An<JGermany, while increasing in population, like the French prefer to settle where a fret civil government exists rather than a mili»

fcary one. Neither cation has the eolonisieg geirins, and neither governs coloniss where settlers are in the majority : these two defects prevent permanency in colonial expansion.

, But while Britain seems by inherent qualities to be destined to possess a colonial 'empire, it must be .remembered that France and Germany can by artificial means do much to retard the expansion of her colonies and of her trade, and it is because of this that a Britannic Federation has become a necessity.

But I didn't intend to be serious to-day. I was just going to refer to tbe Queen's Diamond Jubilee, End then to draw attention to the Jubilee ot Ofcago next year. Will any of you try to make the celebration a worthy one ? I happened to be in Poit Ly ttelton on December 16, when the forty-seventh anniversary of the province was being celebrated. As wes fitting, the English Church held services to celebrate the occasion, just eg the Presbyterian Church is intending to do with us in March. But why haven't we made more of our Anniversary Day in the past 7 We have been wanting in patriotic feeling. Lst us do what we can to make the Jubilee in March next what its historical significance demands. I should like every boy and gitl to do something. In Dunedin v?e are going to have -an exhibition and a great sports programme, and you will all ba welcome to compete in the latter— the more the merrier. Then I should like all to have a medal to commemorate the occasion, and also a permanent historical account of the founding and progress of the province ; and I do not sec how you can improve on the Otago Daily Times and Witness Special Settlement Number, which is, I am told, being prepared at Teiy great I know what pleasure it is to possess old letters, paper?, and historical record?, and can assure my young readers that the pleasure they will feel in after lifa will more than yield interest on any small outlay made to commemorate the Jubilee. Try ifc.