CO885(1-2) — Page 189

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference :-

885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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but it can hardly be doubted that the policy of abandoning a part of our Colonial Empire could scarcely be adopted without giving so great a shock to the feeling of confidence and security in the remainder, as greatly to increase the difficulty of maintaining it; and I must add, that it appears to me very doubtful whether even the Colonies most capable of governing themselves, and which have no uncivilized tribes to deal with, would not for some time have much difficulty in maintaining their present state of tranquillity and security, both ex-

ternally and internally, if their connection with the

mother-country were suddenly dissolved.

In New South Wales, for instance, the interfer-

ence of the Home Government in the internal ad- ministration of the Colony is exceedingly slight; but, slight as it is, it may be questioned whether, without it, the conflict of interests and opinions between different classes of the inhabitants and dif- ferent districts would not be likely to lead to very dangerous struggles; while in their relations with each other it would be still more likely that the dif ferent Australian Colonies would be involved in difficulties, if they ceased to be all placed under the supreme authority of the Imperial Government.

I have thought it necessary to state these reasons for my strong disapprobation of the views of those who wish to dismember the British Empire by aban- doning the Colonies, because it is impossible not to observe that this policy-mean and unwise as I con- sider it to be is not only openly advocated by one active party in the country, but is also hardly less effectually supported by persons occupying an im- portant position in Parliament, and who, while they avoid avowing their adherence to it, hold language which obviously leads in the same direction. But while I disclaim all participation in these views, I am of opinion, as I have already said, that the

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change in our Commercial policy ought to lead to a change in the terms on which the connection be- tween the mother-country and her Colonies ought in future to be miantained.

If I have been right in the views which I have

just stated as to what are the real advantages to be looked for by the mother-country on the one hand, and by the Colonies on the other, in maintaining

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their existing connection, it will follow as a neces- sary inference, that two very plain rules as to what ought to be the terms on which that connection should be continued, may be laid down.

In the first place, I think it will clearly follow that this country has no interest whatever in exercising any greater influence in the internal affairs of the Colonies than is indispensable either for the purpose

of preventing any one Colony from adopting mea- sures injurious to another or to the Empire at large,

or else for the sake either of moderating internal differences, and thus assisting the Colonies to

govern themselves, or of guiding and directing a population too ignorant and unenlightened to manage its own affairs.

Secondly, I think it will follow, that when this country no longer attempts either to levy a cominer- cial tribute from the Colonies by a system of restric- tions, nor to interfere needlessly in their internal affairs, it has a right to expect that they should take upon themselves a larger proportion than here- tofore of the expenses incurred for their advantage.

With regard to the first of these rules I would observe that we constantly hear much vague decla- mation on the absurdity of attempting to govern the Colonies from Downing Street,

No doubt it would be in the highest degree absurd to attempt this if "governing from Downing Street" be understood in the sense of directing from thence all the measures of the local authorities; but I am not aware that such an attempt has at any period of our history been thought of On the other hand, it is obvious that if the Colonies are not to become independent States, some authority must be exercised by the Government at home; and it appears to me that the objects I have mentioned include all those for which it is desirable that authority should be retained and none for which it is not required.

But it will be convenient to consider a little fur- ther how the authority of the Home Government is exercised.

It is so mainly in two ways: first, by the selec- tion of Governors; and secondly, by sanctioning and disallowing the measures of the local autho-

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