indly
responded to the invitation of the committee to lecture this
evening, and though the subject of Imperial Federation was of a
somewhat political nature, still it was not of such a character as
to preclude its being spoken about within the walls of the
association. The subject of the lecture was one worthy of all
attention, which had recently been occupying the attention of
eminent statesmen of various political opinions. This was an age of
specialists, and he thought that Sir Frederick Young might be well
considered as a specialist on the subject upon which he was now
about to address them. He had for many years been connected with
the Royal Colonial Institute, and his services had received
recognition at the hands of his Sovereign.

Sir Frederick Young, who was most warmly received, said in he first
place he must tender his hearty thanks to the Chairman for the very
kind manner in which he had introduced him. The attention of the
audience this evening would be directed to the desirability of
promoting the unity of the British Empire. Before commencing his
address, he wished to emphasize what the Chairman had already
expressed with regard to the rules of the association on political
subjects. In connection with that, he would say that the subject he
was about to speak upon did not touch upon party politics in any
way, as it was a National question, and might be excepted from
their rigid rule. The subject of Imperial Federation was, to his
mind, of so vast and vital a character, and of such importance to
the whole nation collectively, that it impressed him with the
responsibility he incurred in speaking upon it, and the feeling he
had of being unable to do full justice to it. He spoke with some
confidence on the subject, because he claimed to be one of the
pioneers of the idea of Imperial Federation, which meant "the
government of the Empire by the Empire." He wished to take his
hearers back to the origin of English parliaments, when the first
idea of representation occurred to our early kings, and when the
scattered portions of England were at last drawn into one focus of
representation by Edward III., and gradually that kind of
representation succeeded in effecting the Union of England and
Scotland, and subsequently Ireland, things remai