3f54 Royal Colonial InsiUute. 



sympathetic interest' m every movement for the eonsolidatiou oi the Empire. I am 

 pleased to notice m the Report a reference to the action of the Oversea Dominions in 

 connection with the present war. It was an historic day when Sir Edward Grey pressed 

 the button of the Empire — -the spark flashed throughout the Oversea Dominions and 

 to every part of the world where there lived a Britisher. I am glad, indeed, to know 

 that Mr. Hareourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies, has announced that the Govern- 

 ment intend to allow the Oversea Dominions to have some voice in the terms of peace. 

 That is a very wise decision. It is a pity that a like leeling did not actuate Govern- 

 ments in the old days, when we allowed so many Colonies to be taken from us without 

 so much as the little finger of the British Government being raised to stop it. Time 

 after time, as the records show, the Oversea Dominions claimed that the Pacific 

 Islands belong properly to the Empire, and urged the British Government to take them 

 till such time as the Oversea Dominions, were strong enough to hold them themselves. 

 We were tried very hard, btit our respect and loyalty to the Mother Country never 

 ^yave^ed, and we clung on to that part of the Empire which has responded so nobly 

 to-day when the Union Jack is threatened by our foes. Herr Dernburg and the 

 militarv despots of Germany got the greatest shock in their lives when they saw the 

 response made to that touch of the button. It is now, forsooth, suggested that we 

 should cease to give a preference to the Mother Country and allo^v Germany to pursiie 

 her policy in Africa and elsewhere. I feel sure that the Oversea Dominions are not 

 going to stand quiet and see country that was taken in spite of their wishes handed ba-ek 

 to our enemies. I am extremely pleased, as I have said, that the Government think the 

 tiine has come when we should be recognised as part of the Empire. We are prepared 

 to take our share of responsibilit}^ but we want proper recognition from the Mother 

 Country. I do not suppose there has been a time in the history of this Institute when 

 its members had such opportunities as they have to-d-jty oi bringing about the advance- 

 ment of our Empire, and I am in great hopes that our After-the-War Committee will 

 bi'ing forth some vahtable recommendations in due course. There is a large field before 

 them, and under our new Chairman I feel sure that this time next year we shall be able 

 to hand down a still better record. 



Mr. T. J. Lennard : I must first thank you for the honour you have accorded to 

 Bristol by adding its representative to your list of Vice-Presidents. We have heard a 

 good deal recently about the driving force of the Empire, but 1 think the remark to be 

 applied to yoi^r President is that he is a leading force — Certainly whefe he leads there 

 are many willing to follow. Reference has been fnade to the diagram, on the wall. Tlie 

 only complaint I make is that that diagram is not tall enough. It only provides for 

 20,000 members, and you have 10,000 already. The German Navy League have over 

 1,000,000. If Bristol can contribute 1,000 out of 10,000, I think London itself should 

 be expected to add more largely to the Resident Fellowship, Bristol will nefver cost, 

 you a penny. It will, I hope, be a sotirce of income and support during years to come. 

 The only thing we ask from the parent Institute is some little help from the magnificent 

 library. I hardly know what shape that help should take, but I ara sure we may be 

 helped in some way by such a magnificent storehouse of information. By its past 

 history and piresent energy Bristol may be expected to do its share in Empire work. 

 Yoxlr Pi'esident has kindly promised to come down to deceive the gift of the Institute on 

 May 18, and the Lord Mayor has promised to preside, and I hope that, following that 

 meeting, we may be able to achieve some useful wdrk for the Empire. I thank roll oi 

 behalf of Bristol. 



