the London Times suggesting that as the
question had now been some years before the public,
both in the Colonies and the Mother Country,
it would be very desirable indeed if a Royal Commission
of Inquiry were sent out, under distinguished
auspices, for the purpose of ascertaining the
opinions of the various Colonies. This could
be carried out on parallel lines to the celebrated
Commission sent to Canada, and which resulted
in the consolidation of the Dominion. The
obtaining of these opinions would be invaluable evidence
as to the consensus of feeling in the Colonies on the
subject. If the question was to be more than
a dream, and became one of practical politics,
it would require all the Colonies to express
an opinion on the subject. He could not conceive
that anything could be more desirable than to
take the evidence of distinguished representative
men on such a great National question. Those
were the views he expressed in the leading journal;
they were individual ideas, which did not yet
appear to be acceptable, though he could not
help hoping that the day would arrive when some such
Royal Commission might be appointed, which would
give an impetus to the question—and,
at all events, afford all those who took such a deep
interest in it an opportunity of seeing how far, in
the opinion of the various Colonies, such a change
in the British Constitution could be effected,
to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
There was no desire on the part of the Mother Country,
in propounding questions like this, to take any
advantage of the Colonies, or do anything which
would not be for their benefit. There was
no hurry on the part of the Mother Country, which simply
asked the Colonies to help to govern and take
part in the National politics of the British
Empire.
Mr. J.A. BAM proposed
a vote of thanks to Sir Frederick Young for
his able and instructive
lecture, which was heartily accorded.
SIR FREDERICK YOUNG
having acknowledged the compliment, the
proceedings closed with
a vote of thanks to the President.
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