THE COLONIAL SOCIETY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 343, 19 June 1869, Page 3

THE COLONIAL SOCIETY.

The second meeting of this new association took place on the sth inst., at the hall of the Civil Engineers, Westminster, when Mr Wm. Westgarth read a very able paper on " The Relations of the Colonies to tbe Mother Country," which was followed by an interesting discussion of some of the views ventilated by the essayist. Mr Westgarth divided his .-übject into three sections— (l) the general relations in the past and at the present day ; (2) the relations in the view of foreign war ; and (3) economic bearings and general reflections. The two great sections of the empire — the parent state and the colonies — have adjusted themselves rather by the accident of circumstances than hy any definite policy on the parent's part, yet they comprise the data for a good practical working partnership. The only trouble ahead is in view

of foreign war. Here Mr Westgarth started a hypothetical view, which seemed the chief subject of interest aud discussion subsequently. The colonies — the self-governed of course more particulary — -were getting more and more into the position of societies separated politically, and to some extent socially, from thia country. Were matters not drifting into a position to afford ground for a new international public law, by which colonies, in event of war, might claim to be neutral ? England might say to an enemy — " Take your choice ; will you have me only against you, or me s.nd my score or two of family ? " And it is just possible au enemy mig'.it prefer the first. England, however, must be ready for either, and must iv honour, and even in self-defence, defend and avenge her colonies. i'he principal speakers in the discussion which followed were the Marquis of Normanby, Sir Wm. Denison, Lord A. Churchhill, Sir Francis Hiucks, Mr Arthur Mills, and Mr W. T. Kae. At a subsequent meeting, on the 19th, an interesting paper was read by Mr C. 11. Allen, F.R.G.S, on "The GoidSelds of Queensland."