The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-17 00:00:00

of agreeing with the Honourable Gentlemen regarti-
mg the charge made against the Co'.Colo: l ,
most of the obloquy that fell on it was b,?:;,,use it wit:
the, organ of Parliament and of the country. The abo-
lition of the slave trade, the question of waste lands.
and other matters, were instances of that. He could
not, however agree with him that British colonial po,
hey, as now carried on, was the most successful and
the most beneficial policy which the world ever sa w.
No
doubt that was quite true, when compared with other
countries of Europe as regarded their colonies; but
What he should contend for was, that the present
police
of England was far different from the ancient policy
Pursued, for example, towards the United States before-
the separation, and that that carried out within the
last sixty or seventy years differed widely from the
system adopted towards the early settlers of America.
-(Hear, hear.) Great sums of money were now ex-
pended, in many instances unnecessarily and uselessly,
and for his own part he thought that in planting colo-
nies they ought always to bear in mind they were
laying the foundation of future states in different
parts of the globe, the connexion with which he should
hope to see exist as long as mutual good was afforded,
and when it ceased, that it should not be like the sever-
ance of America, but on mutual principles of esteem and
affection, which were infinitely more valuable than a
mere political connexion. He (Mr. Gladstone) regretted
that the Hon. Member the Under-Secretary for the Co-
lonies made any reference whatever to the present
state of affairs in Canada, because, although ho had
asked the lion. Gentleman some questions on the sub-
jrt, it was more for information than to raise a discus-
sion, or to prejudge a question not yet decided. He
should, however, protest against the doctrine laid down
by the Honourable Gentleman, when he said that the
Members of that House bad no right to discuss any
question touching the affairs of their tree colonies, until
the subject-matter had taken the form of law, and re-
ceived the assent of the Crown. He (Mr. Gladstone)
should claim for himself; and for the Members of
that House, the right to express their opinions, or to
raise a discussion, if necessary, at any time, regarding
colonial proceedings, when the interests of the empire or
honour of the Crown were involved.—(Hear, hear.)
The Hon. Member (Mr. Hawes) had referred to the
ease of Guiana and of Jamaica. He (Mr. Gladstone)
would not speak of Jamaica at present, but he would ob-
serve, that he thought the reference to Guiana was un-
fortunate, as the subject was under consideration else-
where. The Hon. Member had argued, that the Colo-
nial-office was not responsible for the operation of free-
trade principles upon the colonies, but that the House
was. It was no wonder, however, that when the princi-
ples of free trade had been applied to the colonies, they
should be calling out for economy, and were they to be
deprecated for doing so?—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. HAWES said he did not say a word about it.
Mr. GLADSTONE thought that the colonies, in such
case, had a right to expect not negative assistance
merely from the Colonial-office, but that every possible
assistance should be given for the carrying out of eco-
nomy in British Guiana.—(Bear.)
Mr. HAWES observed, that he could point out an in-
stance in which it had been done.
Mr. GLADSTONE said the Honourable Gentleman
had stated that Earl Grey would consent to any reduc-
tion when vacancies occurred in the civil list; but he
(Mr. Glandstone) would most emphatically deny that
the Noble Lord acted on that principle. This country
Possessed 43 colonies, and as regarded their govern-
ment, it appeared that 19 of them had representative
institutions, and there were 16 in which representa-
tive institutions were not adapted to their peculiar
condition. The Honourable Member had shown that
there were many cases which would make it impro-
•Per., to attempt the application of representative insti-
/Anions. He-Staid, very fairly, that if a dominant race
formed the minority, it was impossible in such case that
they could have the working of a representative govern.
ment, and it was, therefore, necessary that the Colonial-
office should step in to supply the want. After alluding
to the military colonies, which did not support them-
selves, he said he agreed that when a colony like Aus-
tralia did not support itself, it would be wrong to let it
be free of Imperial control, but when they came to the
last colonies of which the Hon. Gentleman had spoken—
not military posts—not colonies unable to support them-
selves—he did not understand why they should not have
free institutions.—(Hear.) He would rifer, for instance,
to Newfoundland and Prince Edward's Island, end he
did not see why a certain amount of population was ne-
cessary to the enjoyment of free institutions. Of the 43
colonies only three had responsible Governments, and the
remaining 40 were without that advantage. The question
was, Whether it was necessary that the colonies should
have a certain amount of population before they had
responsible governments. The Hon. Gentleman bad
said he would give free institutions to a colony as soon as
the people were fit for it. But he (Mr. Gladstone) did
not understand why any colony of Anglo-Saxon race,
able to pay its way, should not have free institutions,
whatever might be the amount of its population.—
(Hear.) He thought if they had acted on that principle
long ago, they would not now have to contend with
many of the difficulties with which they were beset.
The Hon. Member then referred to Vancouver's Island,
and was of opinion that the conduct of Lord Grey, re-
specting that colony, was deserving of censure, and he
hoped that some Honourable Member would inquire
about it. An opportunity had in that case presented
itself of founding a free colony, and of making
an experiment, which had been miserably neglected.—
(Hear, hear.) He thought that after what had occurred
last year, such a subject could not fail to attract the
attention of Parliament and the country. He hoped
they would get rid of the dangerous fallacy that a
colony should have a certain amount of population
before it was entitled to have free institutions. On that
point Le thought that the old colonial policy was better
than the new. He might refer, as a proof of that, to the
New Eueland States, as these colonies were in posses-
sion of self-government before the population numbered
a great many thousands.
Mr. HAWES had doubts about that.

Mr. GL A DSTONE was confident that in one at least
of the new States the Governor, among other function-
aries was elected by the colonists. What ho would
maintain was this, that the New England Colonies
were founded by the home Government, and that,
nevertheless, before one generation had passed away
the Government of the colonies was in America.
He attached little value to abstract resolutions about
colonial government, because there were so many pecu-
liar circumstances which had to be taken into conside-
ration. But this he would say, that when cases of par-
ticular colonies came before them, let them decide re-
garding them upon right and proper principles, and by
so doing they would best contribute to their prosperity,
and would place them in a position worthy of the cha-
racter of this great empire.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. MANGLES said he doubted whether the Hon.
Gentleman (Mr. Hawes) had acted wisely on a
former occasion in taking up the cudgels and
defending the colonial policy of this country gene-
rally. He (Mr. Mangles), in speaking of the Colo-
nial-office, ,did not wish to be understood as making
any personal reference to any of the distin-
guished men who had presided over its affairs. He
thought the fault was to be found in the system itself,
when men of such varied ability had failed in adminis•
tering its affairs with satisfaction. He thought it was
impossible that any man could be adequate to the dis-
charge of the varied and important duties which were
required at the Colonial-office, even if he possessed the
accomplishments of the " admirable Crichton" himself.
British India was governed very differently from the
colonies; the former was governed by a separate board,
While India was governed by a fixed body, he saw no
reason why they might not have a permanent board,
composed of retired Governors to assist the Secretary
of the Coloaies with their judgment and advice. He con-
curred. entirely in the opinion, that the colonies should
.ti..tse every possible advantage of free Government. The
Lion. Member referred to the colony of New Zealand, of
Sir George Grey was Governor, and said, that in
t_heaTcholony, Mr. Fox had resigned the ffice of Attorney-
neral because the Governor would not give a pledge
of his determination to carry out the principle of free in
atitutions.
, Mr. HUME said the question brought under consi-
deration was ono of the greatest importance. It was
rather singular to be told that the inquiry demanded
could be productive of no good. He regretted that the
debate had not turned on what might fairly be presumed
as the tenour of the motion; namely, the appointment of
a Committee to inquire into the political and financial
relations between Great Britain and her dependencies,
With a view to reduce the charges on the British Trea-
sury, and to enlarge the functions of the colonial le4isla-
tune. One word had not been said with reference to
the expenditure of the country, or the means suggested
to reduce the drag on the British Treasury. The Un-
der Secretary for the Colonies gave it as his opinion
that their colonial system was an honour to England.
Well, if it were so, he (Mr. Hume) knew nothing that was
a disgrace, for nothing could be more fraught with com-
Plaint, or attended with more disgrace. He hoped that
the sense of the House would be taken on the subject,
and that inquiry should take place. Four years ago
they were promised that free institutions would be in-
troduced into their colonial possessions, but they had
nothing save promises, and so they would go on to the
end of ten years, unless some decisive steps were taken.
If the system were properly laid down on which the colo-
nies Should be conducted, that inexplicability which the
lion. Gentleman the Under-Secretary for the Colonies
could not fath)m, would no longer exist. He feared it
was too much the practice of the Governors of the colo-
nies to obey the mandates of the Colonial-office, confident
that so long as he did so there was no grounds of fear
for him- At present two-thirds of their military establish-
ment were required for the colonies; but if the system of
self-government were adopted there would be no such
necessity. In times of peace what did they require with
ut rtteoe post.to in the colonies at all? The colonies were not made
that extent they ought to be for taking off the
aurplus Papuwlaeteion of the mother country ; the disputes
going
on between
thousands
0;1 them and the Colonial-office prevent-
He hoped that persons from finding their way thither.
Lion of a board in Enenition would be paid to the sugges-
gaveritiaend for the management of the
colonies. Self.
ought to be carried out in
every nation that Was practicable.
nothicable. In conclusion he ex-
pressed a hope that the
pres.slember who brought for-
to. a division.
ward the motion would
Mr. ANSTEY deprecated the idea that the colonies
should not be regarded as an
portion of the em-
pi u
re, and repudiated with energy
lion- Member for Montrose would assistance as the
reaglurelite nuisance,
g so
garded the Colonial-office as a
v
He re-
abominable that it admitted of
no re pbm
fo
ions and contended that it was im *blexcept ab°li.
olonies could be pessl e forty-three
properly attended Secretar to by one Colonial
for lear, hear.) He did not blame Lord G y
havinge originated that system, but he blamed him fornottiliouncing it, and having the evils practised or
under
° away with. Uner the present system
bu could be So improvement , and no cure
Ait the alteration of the Colonial-office. H
embers talked onourab bet let them
about the reduction of expenditure
grant this Committee,
and
do away with