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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 55

Imperial Federation

Imperial Federation.

Mr F. Faithfull Begg moved:—

"That the directors be authorised to petition the Government to grant official recognition of the desire which now exists for federal union between Great Britain her colonies."

Mr Begg said the idea of bringing forward a motion on this subject was suggested to him by the fact that the London Chamber of Commerce had petitioned the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject. This petition, after stating that a widespread feeling exists in favour of strengthening the bonds between the mother country and the colonies, he said, pointed out that the population of the Anglo-Saxon race and its wealth in our colonies are rapidly increasing; that the growth of trade with and of investments of British capital In these colonies is very great; that the colonists share our feelings and aspirations; that a unity of commercial interest between us is important in view of the growing hostility of foreign tariffs, and in order to direct to our colonies the stream of emigration which is constantly leaving our shores; and that, in view of these facts and for these reasons, it is desirable that official cognisance should be taken of the situation and facilities afforded for arriving at the best means of accomplishing the object in view. He presumed that it was hardly necessary to advance any arguments in a meeting such as that either in favour of the views stated or the importance of the question. At the same time it was certain that the magnitude of our colonial interests night to be kept constantly impressed upon the attention of the people of this country, for it was amazing how utterly ignorant numbers of people were upon this, subject. There was no doubt that a vast change had come over public opinion of late years, and that the ideas of the school of which Gold win Smith might bp regarded as the head had become to a large extent obsolete. Separation, as thè natural result of the effluxion of time and the evolution of circumstances, was no longer regarded as inevitable, or even probable. What was known as the "ripe pear" idea—namely, that a colony, so soon as it was thoroughly established, would by the gravitation of circumstances fall away from us of its own accord—was entirely exploded. Science in its wonderful modern development had by means of electricity and steam practically annihilated time and space, and it was now not so difficult to communicate, either personally or by correspondence, with the uttermost ends of the earth as it was in the days of our grandfathers to ascertain the views of the outlying portions of the British islands. We had not yet, however, arrived at the time when it was possible to formulate a complete scheme. That was not the question. But we were certainly in a position to endeavour to formulate our ideas, and the condition of public opinion pointed to the wisdom, if not the necessity, of so doing. The distant portions of our vast empire were beginning to attract the covetous eyes of not over-scrupulous foreign nations. If we were united by some living bond that would do much towards the discouragement of such ideas, towards the prevention of war, and the promotion and preservation of peace. He thought we would shortly find that nothing would preserve to us our colonial empire so successfully as a league, offensive and defensive, between the mother country and her dependencies, so that we might present a united front against all outsiders. The loyalty of our colonies was undoubted. Colonists, almost to a man, were enthusiastically loyal, and we had just had a striking proof of their willingness to stand by us, and make our quarrels their own, in the military contingent which our brethren in New South Wales had sent, at their own expense, to fight our battles for us in the Soudan. A group of colonies in Canada had been federated with the happiest results. The Australian colonies were themselves now moving in the same direction. It only remained that all classes of the community should be permeated with the grand idea of a federation of the empire, and a way would soon be found for its realisation. (Applause.)

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A short conversion ensued, in which several gentlemen expressed sympathy with the motion. On the suggestion of Mr Robert Lockhart who seconded, Mr Begg altered his motion, which was then adopted in the following form:—

"That a closer connection between the mother country and the colonies is desirable, and that the directors be authorised to take such steps as they may see fit to promote this obiect."