The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-14

with tho practice OF at lcast ono other colo
NAL power, for members from Martinique
and Algeria sit In the French Chamber
OF Deputies. Nor would the fact 10
without weight to Englishmen that
BURKE would have liked to soc colonial
representatives ut Westminster, Ind In his
day tho conditions OF time and space seemed
to render such an experiment possible. Since
BURKE's time the practical shrlnkage Of the
earth through tho increased rapidlty OF
transmarine locomotion has made the repre-
sentation OF tho colonies Mt Westminster
comparatively simple matter. Delegates
from all OF the Canadian provinces could now
roach London moro quickly than the Senn-
tors and Representatives Of California could
reach Washington before tho completion OF
the Pacific Railway. The same thing is truc
OF tho British East Indies, and nearly the
same thing may DO said Of the Cape Colony
and Natal and OF the Australian dependencies.
Moreover, tho existence OF Geographic COM
munication, placing as 1t does the delegates
In direct and instant contact with their
constituents, may be said to annihilntc the
objections on the scorc OF time and space.
we may, indeed, take for granted that Brit
ish India would not DO permitted to send
representatives TO the imperial Parliament.
Doubtless for long time to como India
would have to DO governed very much as
Territories are governed under our Constitu-
tion previously TO their admission to the
Union In the capacity OF States. With this
exception. there seems to be no reason why
the outlying possessions OF Great Britain
should not DO represented In the House OF
Commons, SO far Us distance is concerned.
Nor. wo may add, is there any valid objnc-
ton upon the score o! the number OF dele
gates. II the basis Of the representation
were to be one member for every G0,00o. the
House OF Commons would contain $50 mcn-
bers. Should the scale. Oh the other hand,
be ono member to every 10000. as It is in
the United States. tho aggregate number
would be reduced to 294
The main, In fact the only theoretical,
difficulty lies In drawing distinction DO.
tween imperial and local affairs, tho former
alone to be tho province of the whole i'm
perial assembly. Mr.. RANsoME proposes
three methods OF dealing with the case
First, o large extension Of tho system Of
local government, which should reduce to
minimum tho domestic business OF the
United Kingdom, or OF the several sections
fit. This end could seemingly be best ut
tanned by the creation Of State Legislatures
for England. as well as for Ireland, Scot
land. and Wales. Secondly, the free use Of
the expedient OF grand committees consti.
tuted on the lines Of the several sections Of
the United Kingdom. This plan was at one
time favored by MI. GLADSTONE. Thirdly,
the withdrawal OF colonial members when
business Is in hand which the Speaker should
define as domestic. AS to this suggestion,
1t may be remarked that the colonies might
hesitate to intrust such an important power
to a Speaker in whose election they had
taken but an insignificant part. OF these
three solutions, the first. though the most
revolutionary, is, nevertheless, most practi-
cable.
One point is overlooked by those who have
discussed this question. Admitting that the
theoretical objections to federation might
be overcome. what proof is there that the
Canadian Dominion or the Australian colo
MES would consent to defray their proper
tionate share Of the expenditure required
for collective defence At present they are
defended gratuitously. Why should they
pay for what now costs them nothing
When that question is squarely put, England
will discover what the loyalty Of her colo
MES amounts to-