March 31, 1900.]
THE LOSS OF THE UNITED STATES BY
BRITAIN.
The loss of the United States of America by Great Britain was a staggerer to our colonial policy, from the full effects of which we have not even recovered at the present day. In the 18th century England's colonial policy was the most liberal of all European countries. The Navigation Laws solely confined the trade of her colonies to the mother country without creating monopolies. England's failure to re- tai 1
1 or to conciliate her great American depen- deucy, the loss of prestige which that defeat ontailed, curtailed England's solicitude for colonies with a great European population. The desire for such colonies was at # dis- count. A party arose in Euglaud which was for severing the connection with our greater colonies as soon as it was convenient to do so. A policy of drift supplanted a policy of watch- fulness and care, and the time seemed not far distant when our colonies would either declare their own independence or would be told to declare themselves free, when the discovery of gold woke England from her "Rip Van Winkle" dream. If England did not see the advantage of new colonies other countries did, and she was perforce in Africa obliged to go along with the stream, and in other parts of ber Empire she strove to bring her colonies nearer to herself, and treated them in a spirit worthy of their aspirations to form part and parcel of a mighty state of which they were most worthy
• state sons
THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.
The British Empire, extending as it does through rast tracts of territory both in the temperate and torrid zones, embraces within its folds many diverse races with different charac- teristics aud temperaments, but broadly speak. ing as far as the people themselves are concerned the colonies and dependencies may be clas sified as follow:-(1) Those that are composed entirely, or almost entirely, of the British race, as Australia, New Zealand and Canada Quebec excepted. (2.) Those that are composed largely of European races, ot necessarily British, as the Cape, Natal and Quebec. (3.) Those that are chiefly inhabited by coloured races, as India, the West African and the West Indian Colonies, It follows, therefore, that the government of the Colonits varyies. Some de- mand a practically in iependent government, and others, owing to their helples state, local animosities or inferior civilization, are only fit for a parental government to take charge of their interests, for if not governed by Eagland they would be governed by some other foreign power.
GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH COLONIES.
The government of this great empire, which embraces upwards of 4 colouies or dependen- cies, may generally be classified thus (1) Responsible government with a governor elected legislature and a parliamentary execu- tive, as Canada, Australia and the Cape. The
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT,
CROWN COLONY GOVERNMENT AND PERSONEL. In no department of government bas England shown her supreme wisdom more than in the government of Crown colonies. The well- being of India is an example of what can be done by proper systematic government under experts, for India largely owes its prosperily and quietude to the able officials who minister to her wants. The leading officials in India and the Crown colonies are mostly picked men passed into the Civil Service by an examination of a high standard. With fair application and industry they may count certainly upon promotion and even honours, and at the end of their official life they ein retire with a good pension. It is difficult to conceive how the wit of man can produce a better system or show fiuer results than what the Cadet system furnishes.
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THE DUTCH IN JAVA.
Holland from her colonial experience is also largely alive to the necessity of recruiting her civil servants from a good social status and in asking for high attainments. All appointments to the higher administrative posts in Java follow examination in the history and ethnology of the Dutch East Indies, the social and political institutions of the uatives, and in the Malay and Javanese languages. Law officials must hold the degree of Doctor of Laws from one of the Dutch Universities and in addition pass an examination in Mussulman and local common law.
THE PHILIPPINES.
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The disparity of the English and Dutoh races in South Africa presents a political difficulty hard to solve for the mutual interests of bothe Racial feeling is strong, but certainly not stronger than the feeling which animated the various states of Germany in 1866 and caused them to fight against each other.
It was a masterpiece of diplomacy on the part of Prince Bismarck to bring the various states of Germany into line for a common cause in 1870 when so recently they had met each other ou the battle- field. The constitution of the German Empire, conceived in difficult circumstances and safe- guarding so many interests, commands the utmost admiration, and it has the merit of suc- cess. We have no interests of princes to safe- gnard in South Africa and so our task to esta- blish a workable constitution there is so much : the easier.
THE WEAKNESS OF BRITAIN.
responsibility and the unchanging nature in The rapid growth of colonial territory and
some respects of the British constitution leave a weakness in our government system that for the well-being of our Empire demands attention in the immediate future. I cannot conceive any parliamentary representation, however fully developed on that inaugurated by Simon de Montfort centuries ago, capable of meeting all the contingencies that a large colonial Empire necessarily entails. There is a want of system,
a want of continuous policy, and party gover- ment is ill-suited to our colonial requirements. It should not be within the bounds of possibility that the destiny of an Empire may depend upon some local bill in the imperial Parliament” by which a cabinet and its policy is upset, or depend upon party for the thorough equipment for defence. The policy of Rome was contin- uous, and thus her success.
IMPERIAL DEFENCE.
From the various comments that appear in the American papers it would appear that the United States is still uncertain of the best means of governing the Philippines. Some Americans advocate responsible or representa tive government; others go no further than the wish to rule the islands as a Crown colony. To give the Philippine Islands, with their many Imperial Federation has been much spoken races and tongues, with their various stages of of in recent years, but as yet it has taken no civilization, representative government is to definite form. make an advance upon any form of government defence, which seems the most feasible, and judg- Some advocats a federation for conferred upon a like colony by any Europeaning from the temperament of the great colonies, power of larger colonial experience. England their spontaneous loyalty during the present war, governs Mauritius, with a very large French
their ambition to eclipse the valour of our population in a high state of civilization, and governs it well, as a Crown colony
British troops on the field in the interests of the India, & Empire, it may be taken that federation for Crown colony. has many thousands of its defence is almost an accomplished fact and pro- inhabitants highly civilized and cultured and bably will take definite form on the conclusion with a galaxy, of princes loyal to the throus.
of the War; but with respect to a Zollverein or Natal, with a large English and population, was only of very recent years Dutch granted responsible government. The time for responsible government in the Philip pines has not yet arrived. The islands may, with advantage, be granted a large measure of municipai control, but in all that concerns the higher brauches of government and admin- istration it were well to confine such appoint wents to American gentlemen of good social standing and attainments, and to create a Civil Service modelled on the lines of the Euglish or Dutch systems. By such a means the United States would create a cials of integrity and honour and at the same
service filled with offi time not debar the Filipinos from a legitimate native islands. The long dominion of Spain desire to participate in the government of their over the islands must still leave an impression of Spanish influence that will take time to eradi-
cate.
which, when once accomplished, may lead to a The islands must be Americauised first,
Filipinos can take a full share. more liberal form of government in which the
SOUTH AFRICA AND THE TRANSVAA LA.
powers of these colonies are alone confined with respect to their relations with foreign state. the mother country alone undertaking to direct their policy (2.) Elective legislature and no- minated executive, consisting of a governor, a legislature partially or wholly elected, and a nominated executive by the Crown or governor, as Jamaica and the Barbadoes. (3.) Nominated legislature consisting of a governor and two councils, one legislative and the other executive, both nominated by the Crown or governor. It will be seen, therefore, that where great One of the weakest spots in the British Em- numbers of European colonists abound, British pire, if not the weakest, is undoubtedly Sonth or otherwise, the tendency of the British legis- Africa. The magnitude of the canker in Cape lation is to grant responsible government. Colony has displayed itself with glaring dis- Whether this is always a wise measure under tinctness during the present war with the all circumstances is certainly questionable, Transvaal. Englishmen have been too apt to judging from our recent experiences in South imagine that all races are only too pleased to Africa. But with respect to responsible go- live auder English institutious, particularly vernment I have nothing to say. The making when large allowances are made for foreign of good or indifferent laws depends practically law and customs. Empire cannot alone be apon the colonists themselves, for they are, governed by concessions; precautions must be under the lenient and slender control of the taken to assert, if need be, the dominant state. parental government, the pioubers of their own We look too frequently to parliamentary go. destiny. Their trade is absolutely unrestricted. vernment on English principles to satisfy the They raise bostile tariff if so it pleases them requirements of any political situation, forget- even against the mother country. Yet Canada ting that excellent models of government exist has been the first to approach Britain with on the continent of Europe that would be more differential duties, which may perhaps inaug-fitting and perhaps equally appreciated by for. eigners who come under our colonial dominion,
urate a new era.
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hope seems far distant. The advantages to the preferential trade within the Empire such a mother country in the present undeveloped state of many of our colonies would be very question- able and might even retard the development of, the colonies themselves. Mr. Chamberlain, 1896, said that preferential trade would involve speaking at the Canada Club ou 25th March, in the case of the United Kingdom a serious disturbance of our trade, the imposition of duties upon fod and upon raw inaterial with a tendency to increase the cost of living and pressure upon the working classes, and to in- erease the cost of production, and therefore put foreign countries in nentral markets. us in a worse position in competition with
↑ CONCLUSION.
the reasons of the rise and fall of Colonial It is impossible in a abort lecture to give all Empire. I have endeavoured to give broadly some notable examples from the great nations of the earth, Greece, Rome, Venice, Spain, and it only remains to ask "Is the British Empire on a sure foundation ? Is it destined to exist ?" Recent events point to the fact that it is in its youth, not yet consolidated, that it is filled with colonists of fervid loyalty, that its latent forces and immense possibilities are not yet touched and that it possesses statesmen, both at home and in the colonies, who are fully alive to its necessities and to the well being of the count- Iss millions that inhabit the dominions of the Queen. (Applause.)
The CHAIRMAN said they had listened with very great pleasure to Mr. Jones' able lecture, and it only remained for him to discharge a very pleasing duty, and that was to give a vote of thanks to Mr. Jones for his very interesting. lecture. (Applause.)
Mr. POLLOCK, in proposing a vote of thanks the Chairman, said they had all appreciated the remarks which had fallen from Mr. Jones. As Mr. Jones had pointed out, in South Africa there would probably be considerable trouble if