The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, 30th OCTOBER, 1886.

Southland Times, Issue 9362, 30 October 1886, Page 2

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, 30th OCTOBER, 1886.

Despite of all the follies of " leading colonists" at Home, and they are neither few nor small, tho ladian and Colonial Exhibition has been undoubtedly a great success. It his boon for one thing a very good show ; though it is of course not to be compared in tbisjrespect with some of it is international predecessors. It has besides enabled the Old Country people to realise in some more or less approximately adequate manner tho vastness of the British Empire. It has aleo given them a pretty clear notion of the infinite variety of its products, It will moreover impart a wonderful stimulus to trade aod commerce between the Mother Country and her colonies. But the chief value of tbe Exhibition lies in the imposing spectacle it presents to the non-British world. Here fire to be seen the young British nations crowdiog round their old mother in loving admiration and "loyalty, not so much aßkiug us offering support and protection. Tliia is a grand eight indeed, tbe like of which was never beheld in the world before. And it so happens that it has been exhibited precisely at the right moment. The Continental Powers are all at fcixea and sevens ; the utmost distrust prevails amongst them ; every country is jealous of its neighbours ; and scarce a day passes without bringing us tidings tha^warisal'outtobreakout. It is not likeiy tbat'Eng'and will ever a^aia take such a prominent part as she has often done in a continental confl ct. But she has interests all over the world which she might be called upon at any time to defend. There can be no doubt that her greatoeee excites a vast amount of jealous and hostile feeling. Few of the Great Powers but would rejoice to see her humbled. In such circumstances it is no small matter thfit so many of these colonies which she has planted out in different parts of the globe should have already attained what may be called national dimensions, or that they should be all seeking a closer union with her. The federation of the British Empire, which has been looming for a cor - siderable time in the not vety remote distance, has been brought many degrees nearer by this ludiaa and Colonial Exhibition The manner in which the colonists have been treated by the people at Home shows th=it Batiflli statesmen recognise tho great importance of the colonies from an imperial point of view. The Imperial Institute, which is to succeed the Exhibition, will serve to strengthen the imperial sentiment, and to convince the enemies of England that she was never stronger, or rather never half so strong as she ia now, surrounded by so many of her vigorous children, all ready to fight for her to the last gasp.