the Empire by making England a common centre. It is wonderful to watch at Lincoln's Inn the multitude of coloured students of law who come here and frequent the common-rooms and the libraries with a view to getting called to the Bar, and then returning to practise before the tribunals of the distant places from which they have come. To watch them excites still more wonder when one knows the littleness of the provision which the authorities here make for them.
And this brings me to the other point I wish to emphasize. There is much talk to-day of increased conference with representatives from the Colonies. An admirable plan this, but let the conferences be not limited only to statesmen. The conference, to which I have already alluded, of representatives of the Universities of the Empire, which took place in London three years ago, showed how easily this kind of meeting can be brought about. I do not see why such conferences should not be held at regular intervals, and I do see that great use may come of them. Not only have we all a good deal to learn from each other, but, if I am right, there is in addition exchange of ideas wanted, with a view to the coordination of the educational system of the whole Empire.
It is true that these things grow, and that they cannot be called into existence before their time, or artificially. But their time seems to have come, and the demand is already beginning to show itself. Germany, Switzerland, and the United States, perhaps Japan also, are making us feel uncomfortable about shortcomings in our educational system, the existence of which its good side cannot excuse or make up for. In every department of life more science is called for, and our competitors are becoming daily better equipped. Surely the day has arrived when statesmen need not fear to be thought to have their heads in the clouds if they put forward a greater provision for the highest education as a leading part in a programme of home and Imperial policy.
