Report of the Forty-Fourth Annual General Meeting. 211 



pointing out the reasons for the change — that we ought not, in fact, to make any sudden 

 change of name without consulting those who have a right to be consulted in such 

 a matter. I believe myself, thoroughly, we should improve our position if we fixed 

 upon the name " United Empire," or something of that kind. But on the other 

 hand, there is no need to do this in a great hurry ; and I am inclined to feel we should 

 have a sort of referendum of Fellows in all parts of the world, coupled with a little 

 statement concerning the changed condition and as to how we hope to make the 

 Institute more effective. I think such a step would be advisable, and then nobody 

 would be offended. On another subject, let me say that the progress made in the 

 last two years has been quite phenomenal in our history. It has become evident 

 that we centralise in this Institute a great national movement in every part of the 

 world, and that we are best fitted to do that. But at the same time the Institute 

 has got to be more progressive, aggressive, and energetic than in the past. There 

 is the greatest need for the bold, strong, vigorous policy outlined for the future. We 

 have had a career in the past, but I have no doubt we have a larger career in the 

 future. I do not suppose this nation was ever in a more critical state than now. 

 It looks very much as if we were closing one era and opening another. I do not believe 

 any democratic change which is going on in this country, although a matter for anxiety, 

 affects in the least degree the question of the unity of the Empire. It is a profoundly 

 searching question whether these vast democracies — using their will in the way demo- 

 cracies do : now obstinately for their own purposes, selfishly sometimes, generously 

 sometimes — are going to be able to wield the affairs of a great Empire as they have 

 been wielded in the past by a more aristocratic or a more centralised organisation. 

 But, whatever comes, this Institute has got to meet the circumstances of the nation 

 and the people who belong to it. We have to " educate our masters " up to the position, 

 and for that reason there was never a period when this Institute ought to make a 

 more aggressive attempt to teach the real necessities of the Empire. The question 

 is how we are going to reach those great masses who seem to be the controlling power 

 outside. The necessity becomes greater, and that is the reason why we should do 

 all we possibly can in this Institute by keeping up our Journal, for instance (effective 

 as it has been made under Mr. Colquhoun's care), and in other ways, such as have 

 been indicated to-day. Therefore, let this meeting be one of those inspiring days, 

 when we all resolve we will try our best to improve the work of the Institute and 

 to think out new plans, and I am sure, as a member of the Council, that any member 

 who comes with suggestions or ideas, or anything which will improve or strengthen 

 the Institute, wlU find a ready welcome from the Chairman and the Council. 



Colonel H. E. Rawson, C.B., said he wished to express his gratitude to the Council, 

 which he believed was shared by many of the Fellows, and he knew was felt by a large 

 number of the general public, for their efforts on behalf of emigration. The subject 

 was one of imperial interest, and it was of the highest importance that it should be 

 brought prominently to the notice of our Dominions and Colonies by a body possessing 

 their confidence. The Institute had no axe to grind in this matter. It was known 

 to be working for the advantage of the Empire, and many of those who would have to 

 consider any scheme that might be drawn up for furthering emigration within the 

 Empire were already Fellows of the Institute. It was impossible to view the existing 

 social state of our country with satisfaction. An excess of a million females over 

 males, the standing lack of employment with all the misery that this entails, and the 

 fact that 33,000 orphan, deserted, and adopted children are in the hands of the Poor 

 Law Guardians of the country, are not matters to be lightly passed over and allowed 



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