Year: 1879

and assented to by the viceroy could be annulled Il
vetoed by the Queen within two years from tns
time 1t received the Vceregal assent Copies OF al
bills assented to by the viceroy would. of course
be sent to the Secretary of State for imperial consul
tation The local colonial legislatures would re-
main much as they are at least tor the present.
Time might precptate reconstruction; but II would
be safs TO wait. Under the plan sketcbed by the
writer In the iYesinsfey, there would he second
or upper chamber connected with the local legis-
latures An upper chamber. 1t is contended, is un-
necessary. and the experience OF the Cana
dian provinces Is retorred to 20 proof. IL
is not TO be denied tina. in what may be
called Limited democracy" the will of the
ber. must become law. 1t is doubtful. however,
whether in infant communities, or, indeed. i'll any
society. the second chamber can always be regarded
as AN encuinbrance. The House of Lords would be.
as now, the Upper House of the Imperial Parliament
IL would be necessary to add few life peers twenty
is suggested) TO represent the colonies Under such
an arrangement 1t might be found necessary to ex
clude the bishops from the House of Lords, their
functions being local rather than imperial. Such
is the scheme which is suggested for the representa-
tion of all parts of the Empire in our Imperial Par
Lament. There can be no doubt that the scheme
has much to recommend 1t. Apart altogether from
the question OF federation 1t is apparent that
the Parliamentary system Of England would be
strengthened by the formation OF local Houses
and by the separation of local from imperial mat
ters. 1t is an indisputable fact that Parliamentary
legislation i'll England il very much of mockery.
from the simple tact that Parliament undertakes
more work than it can ever accomplish. The sepa-
ration OF the local from the imperial would insure a
more careful consideration of the measures sub





carefully amended statutes. This, however. is not
the result immediately aimed ut. 1t is no doubt a
consideration and an important consideration; but
af:er oil IL IS only secondary. III presence OF the
primary object, which is the formation of great
Empire-an Empire vaster aud more powerful than
any on which the sun has yet shone.


FINANCIAL VIEW OF THE CASE.


It is shown BY statistics that the vaue Of the
imports into tho different colonies in 1875
greater than the value of the imports into the United
States, and that the and trade per head
greater than that Of the United Kingdom. Under q
federation the public debt OF the Empire would be
assumed by the imperial government. and to meet
the obligations thus assumed the imperial govern
ment would collect customs in every part OF tho
Empire. The collection OF customs would be carried
ON by imperial officers. and. as necessity OF the
case, the fiscal policy in all parts of the Empire
would be the same. at least SO far British goods
time, with the increase OF trade brought about
by federation, the increase in the impe-
rial receipts from customs would be sufh
cient to bear the whole burden Of the national debt
1t Is admitted that the question Of customs Ia bcset
difficulties are insuperable In sone colonies sys
tenn OF protection has been adopted. We're the iin-
perial government suddenly to revert to a revenue
tariff throughout the Empire great dissatisfaction in
protectionist countries would most certainly result
There are various suggestions. however, by which
the difficulties might be got over 1t is. OF course.
assumed that tho entire control OF the finances OF
the Empire would be In the hands OF the Imperial
Parlament How such an arrangement would be
found compatible with the existence OF local par
laments 1t is, 1t must be admitted. somewhat diff
cult to 1t Is claimed, however, by the friends
OF the measure that the federation plan Is workable
from governmental point OF view and that If car
riod out it would be positive beneht to all con-
cerned.


From an American standpoint the whole subject is
important. as it foreshndows the British policy Of
the future 1t is = subject the full importance Of
which has not yet dawned upon the British mind.
But it IL growing question. and il it promises TO
payand we may rest assured it will be in that
hght--it will take firm hold upon the English
people and will grow and develop until it reveals
itself In some mighty efforts. The effort may not
prove SUCCESS; but 1t will assuredly command the
attention of the world and leave Its impress the
ages. Sooner later Great Britain must in some
way carry out the principles OF federation and take
her place of the mightiest OF the empires,
she must be prepared to colonies by one
SO they ripe for independence, and, aban-
doned by the children who she has reared, sink down
into the condition Of third fourth rate Power.
Tho federation Of the British Empire is mighty
ception and the carrying out and giving shape and
form to that conception may give scope to the genius
of some future and greater Beaconsfeld.