390 TlMEHRI. 
The following Extract ot a letter from Mr. William 
Walker, dated 16th November 1887, was read, referring 
to the Venezuelan boundary question ; and was ordered 
to be taken for notification : — 
I must own to being somewhat disappointed at the vetoing of the 
question as to the Venezuelan Boundary because it is manifestly 
desirable that the colony should display an active interest in the dis- 
cussion of a matter so important to its future, and there is no body, with 
the exception of the local legislature, so fully representing the general 
community, as the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society ; action 
on the part of the Mayor and Town Council of Georgetown is un- 
questionably important, but that body represents only a limited area. 
I am, however, bound to admit that the chairman was abundantly 
justified in his ruling by the words of the Act of Incorporation which 
are explicit against the discussions of all questions of a political nature 
or tendency. Doubtless the effect of this declaration, as fettering the 
expression of the Society's views upon subjects largely affecting the 
economic position of the colony, could not have been foreseen at the 
time and is in itself unfortunate. If, however, there were in existence 
a Chamber of Commerce, such a topic would seem to come legitimately 
within its scope, and I have more than once indicated the opinion that 
to avoid multiplying organisations having kindred objects in view, the 
Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society might well assume such 
functions with benefit to the colony. I may add that when framing 
the rules of the Royal Colonial Institute we experienced a 
similar difficulty, and it was surmounted by the adoption of the formula, 
u But no paper shall be read, nor any discussion permitted to take place, 
•' tending to give to the Institute a party character. " It is obvious that 
many questious of policy may occur affecting the vital interest of the 
community which can be discussed without reference to the fact of a 
particular political party being possessed of the administration of the 
Government. In my individual opinion, if I may venture to express it, 
the Boundary question is one upon which the Institute could quite 
legitimately express an opinion were it desirable to do so, but as 
H. M. Government have avowed their disposition to protect the interest 
of the colony it only remains, as it seems to me, for the colony itself to 
adopt such active steps as may indicate its determination to support 
its claim to the disputed territory. 
