A grand meeting of the leading colonists in London took
place on Wednesday last at the Cannon Street Terminus Hotel, to protest against the policy of the Colonial Office in its attempt to disintegrate the Empire. Mr. Wilson, of Melbourne, made the principal speech of the day. He said, amongst other things, that a letter which he had received, and which he read to the meeting, proved that Lord Granville's private views were in favour of a policy of separation between the colonies and this country ; but he urged that so important a question should not be left to the determination of any one, even a Minister, but should be judged by the people at large. The letters he had re- ceived since his own recent letter to the Times showed him, he said, that the policy of disintegration was most unpopular in the country, and that the course of the Ministry is vehemently dis- approved by the people. It is probable, however, that only those Interested in the question would address Mr. Wilson on it, and for our own parts, what we fear is that the nation at large is— not favourable—but wholly indifferent to Lord Granville's policy. Weekly meetings of the leading colonists are to be held, to con- cert measures for resisting the course of the Government between this time and the great Colonial Conference, which is proposed for February next.
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