kind could be moved, except by some motor? There
must be something to move the colonists, and
who could do that so well as Her Majesty’s
Government, by inviting, in a courteous and sympathetic
spirit, the Colonies to come again and consult on
Imperial subjects. He would now touch upon
some of the errors prevalent on this great question
of Imperial Federation. In some of the Colonies,
New Zealand in particular, something had been said
that in course of time independence must be the
inevitable result. But he asked why should
this be the case? He would also like to say something
about what were Imperial questions? Some of the
subjects which would be dealt with by the Imperial
Federated Parliament would be those of National
defence, peace and war, and all subjects in which
national interests are concerned. As he had attempted
to explain, it would be a federation in which
the Colonies would be completely and fairly represented.
The whole subject resolved itself into this:
Representation. One hundred years ago, one of
our distinguished statesmen in England, Charles
James Fox, said that “representation was
the sovereign remedy for all evils,” and that
was what was contended for by Imperial Federation.
He would now venture to make some allusion to
one of the most distinguished statesmen in South
Africa, who attended the Conference in London—he
alluded to Mr. Hofmeyr—who made a most remarkable
speech. He was sorry it was too long to read,
but he would select a portion of that very statesmanlike
address. Referring to the fourth and eighth
subjects proposed for discussion—viz., the
feasibility of promoting a closer union between
the various parts of the British Empire by means
of an Imperial tariff of Customs, to be levied
independently of the duties payable under existing
tariffs on goods entering the British Empire
from abroad, the revenue derived from such tariffs
to be devoted to the general defence of the Empire—he
said: “I have taken this matter in hand
with two objects, to promote the union of the
Empire, and at the same time to obtain revenue
for general defence. It would establish a connecting
link between the Colonies mutually, as well as between
the Colonies, and the Empire also, such as is
not at present in existence, and which might
fuller develop, by-and-by, into a most powerful
bond of union.” Again, speaking of how this
was to be effected, he said: “A body
would be required with legislative, and, to some
extent, administrative powers; in other words, you
would have a limited fiscal Parliament by the
side of the British Parliament and the various
Colonial Parliaments. This small body, which
would have to be created, would perhaps be the germ
of an Imperial Federation afterwards.”
He thought those were most remarkable, and striking
words. If people would think the subject out
in a calm judicial, and fair spirit, they would see
in it the fulfilment of what would not only promote
the best interests of the British Empire, but