ENGLAND AND THE COLONIES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11932, 16 February 1894, Page 2

ENGLAND AND THE COLONIES.

■ « _ (.Br Eleotuic Teleobaph— Copyuight.] (Per Press Association.) London, February 14. In the course of a locture at the Colonial Institute on the British Empire, General Chesney advocated the formation of a Council of the Empire, consisting of the Prime Minister, some members of the Imperial Cabinet, and the Premiers of the great colonial dominions, together with some of their colleagues, to deal with Im. perial affairs, thus securing a harmonious policy and superseding tho Colonial Office. Mr Ried, of Victoria, who took part in the discussion which followed General Chesney's remarks, declared that the safeguard of tho Empire lay in the kin? dred interest of sympathy and blood relationship. The colonies, lie said, were convinced that their interests and those of England wore similar, and that it would be impossible for them to exist without England. The task of safeguarding the Empire in future was 3tupendous, as tho old legislative machinery of England was unsuited to now conntrius. Several spankers eulogised tho £i|straliun auxiliary squadron. The Colonial Jets Confirmation Bill, chief}/ validating the New South Wales Redistribution of Seat's Bill, which the Crown Ijiiw Officers advised ought to have been reserved for Eoyal approval, has passed tho Houso of Lords. Lord Knutsford suggestod that the time had arrived to abolish tho power of reservation in the case of small alterations in tho constitution of the colonies.