n the heels of the explorer came the squatter
with his flocks and herds, and he even was not long left in quiet
enjoyment; and if his runs were good they were soon taken from him for
agricultural purposes. Considering the progress that we were making in
agriculture, it was high time we sought to enlarge our borders. Although
it was true that the band of explorers who were now before them had only
made a line through the country, we must remember that it would be a
base-line for future operations. Their work was very different to making
a forced march of two or three days when it was known there was permanent
water ahead. The explorer had carefully and deliberately to feel his way
into unknown country, and if he went a mile or two too far he could not
retrace his steps, and we could not attach too much importance to the
services of those individuals who had risked their lives in that way. It
was said, when Edward John Eyre made that wonderful journey of his along
the coast of Western Australia, that he had done nothing but gone along
the coast; but along that very line there would be a telegraph to connect
this colony with Western Australia. (Cheers.) It was true that Western
Australia was the smallest of the Australian group, and she had not
perhaps been so favoured as South Australia, as her country was not so
good; but he believed, from the enterprise of her Government, and the
courage, perseverance, and endurance shown by some of her sons, that she
would yet take her place among the Australian group, and that at some
future date she would be one of the provinces which would form one united
Australia. (Cheers.)

The toast was drunk with cheers.

Mr. Alexander Forrest responded. He said he thanked them most cordially
for having associated his name with that of the Government and people of
Western Australia. He had had the honour for the last four years of being
employed in the service of the Western Australian Government, and he
could assure them that they had a very good Government. They had
representative government, although not responsible government; but since
they had been on their trip they had heard that it was proposed to
establish constitutional government. He did not believe it would make
much difference, but personally he was glad to see it. The people would
have the management of their own money, and that he considered a good
thing, for they were never satisfied till they had the control over it.
When the