The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-19 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 19, 1866.

tedious blue-books. The Crown colonies and
foreign dependencies are not included in the scheme,
which of course excludes India ; but Mr. HOWE
admits that he does not see the way to their repre-
sentation, neither does he hold it to be so necessary
or desirable as in the case of the self-governing
States.

His second and principal object in admitting the
colonial representatives to the English Parliament is
to consolidate the whole Empire, with a view to the
more efficient protection of the general interests in
case of war; or, in his own words, " treating the
whole Empire as the British Islands are treated,
holding every man liable to serve the QUEEN in
war, and making every pound's worth of property
responsible for the national defence." At first
sight the project, we admit, seems rather a hopeless
one ; for it cannot be forgotten that it was this very
question of taxation by the mother country which
caused the rupture with our early American colo-
nies ; but there is another side to the question. The
taxation, in this instance, would not be forced upon
an unwilling people, but would be submitted for
the sanction of the local Government and Legisla-
ture. Also, the tax would be for a definite object,
of which they would themselves reap the advantage,
since all anxiety on the subject of national defence
would be taken from them, and their own represen-
tatives would have the right of expressing their
opinions on the foreign policy of the empire.
Thirdly, the people of Great Britain and Ireland
would, in fairness, pay a much heavier proportion
of the national burdens, and would also contribute
a much larger share of the responsibility of man-
ning the army and navy, and providing for the
military and naval reserve. Having secured
this organisation and these powers, her MA-
JESTY'S Government might, in times of peace,
be careful to press as lightly as possible on the out-
lying populations. England has to defend the
accumulated treasures of generations upon genera-
tions, wealth in property of immense value, the
focus of free thought and free government through-
out the world. The colonies, on the other hand,
are thinly peopled, and have as yet had neither the
time nor the opportunity to gather together stores
of countless price. It is but common justice, then,
that the mother country should bear the brunt o
the outlay, in men and in money, for the genera
defence.

There are, as Mr. HOWE admits, very great d

ficulties to contend against in any such attempt a,
organisation ; but he believes that the general in-
telligence, patriotism, and public spirit of the em-
pire will ultimately perceive its advantages.
" Surely," he exclaims, "if a Russian serf can be
got to march from Siberia to the Crimea to defend
his empire, the QUEEN'S subjects can be educated
to know and feel that it is alike their duty and their
interest to march anywhere to defend their own."
We confess an apprehension, however, that our
colonists look upon themselves less in the light of
Queen VICTORIA'S subjects than as Australians,
New Zealanders, and Canadians, as the case may
be, and as such would feel a not unnatural
jealousy of the control of the central Power; still
the plan offers substantial advantages to the colon-
ists, which Mr. Hewn recapitulates. In spite
of their present efforts to provide for their own
protection, they are in fact relying upon the sup-

port and protection of England in case of war, and
they pay heavily in some cases for their share in
their defence. New Zealand and Canada have re-
cently been at heavy outlay, which comes upon them
at a time when their trade and business generally is
paralysed by the disturbances demanding that out-
lay. All this inconvenience would be avoided, while

in a pecuniary point of view they would at all times
be better off. " Without the protection of the fleets
and armies of England they aro all defenceless.
Without efficient organisation, they cannot lean

upon and strengthen each other, or give the mother
country that moral support which in peace makes
diplomacy effective, and in war would make the con-

test short, sharp, and decisive." The outgoing of
labour and capital into the colonies has been, as
our author reminds us, somewhat checked by doubts
as to their ultimate security,which this organisation
would altogether remove. The colonies would be
advanced outposts of the central force, and the
sturdy independent men who have subdued nature
and turned the wilderness into a garden, would be
valuable auxiliaries to the English troops. English
subjects in every part of the globe have enough to
fight for ; they possess advantages of which no
other citizens can boast, and which we can hardly
believe they would lightly throw aside. What is

more, in most instances the question would not be

between their allegiance to England aminindepend-
ence, but between their ties with the mother
country, and their subjection by another power.
As yet they are not strong enough to stand alone

against the attack of disciplined forces, and they
offer too tempting a prize to remain unmolested

should the strong hand of England be no longer
raised to defend their rights.

On this question of colonial defences we may
suggest that it would be a wise and prudent pre-
liminary measure, while rival schemes are being
debated and discussed, to appoint a commission of
able and experienced naval and military officers,
associated with a select body of civilians, to examine
into the whole subject. Their practical knowledge

would enable them to test the utility of the projects

suggested, and the chances of success which would

attend them. Should they report in favour of any
particular plan their opinion would naturally have
great weight, and would in any case be most ser-

viceable to the Government.

" Union is strength," says the old adage, and we
would remind Mr. HOWE that his eloquent argu-
ments, drawn from its application to the Imperial
alliance, apply with equal force to that Confedera-
tion of the British American provinces, to which
he is a determined opponent. Men do not, how-
ever, show most judgment in their own affairs,
and we must acknowledge that Mr. HOWE has
dealt with the Imperial question in an enlightened,
comprehensive, and patriotic spirit. The proposal
is in some respects a startling one, but it is founded
on good sense and practical knowledge. It deserves
at least to be considered and debated both here and
in the colonies. Much might depend on the temper
in which it was received in the chief colonies, but
there are so many unsettled questions respecting
the independence and protection that it is possible

---
a large and statesmanlike method of settlement
might obtain a favourable hearing. At any rate,
after the extraordinary theories which some restless

spirits have indulged in, who appear to wish to
shear England of her glory, her commerce, and her
influence, it is refreshing to meet with a writer who

so heartily acknowledges the mother country's
claims upon the affection and devotion of all her
children, far and near, and who is so sensible of the
vast mutual advantages to be derived from the con-
nection.

THE DUKE OF EDlNBURGH.—Yesterday his Royal
Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and a select party shot
over portions of the estate of Lord Suffield, at Gunton.
Before leaving Norwich on Monday, the Duke, accompanied
by the Rev. Canon Heaviside, visited Norwich Cathedral.
Dr. Buck, the organist of the cathedral, played the Na-
tional Anthem on the entry of the august visitor.
THE MANCHESTER STATUE TO Mn. COBDEN.—
The statue of the late Richard Cobden for the city of Man-
chester was successfully cast in the bronze yesterday
morning at the works of aessrs. Prince and Co., South-
wark.