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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 67

Prefatory Remarks

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Prefatory Remarks.

The chief objections against Imperial Federation, so far as I can gather them, consist in two general allegations—first, its impracticability; and, secondly, its undesirability, chiefly on the ground of its undue interference with self-government in many Colonies.

Impracticability is an argument which has often been urged, and fortunately urged in vain, against great movements. It is not so long ago that ocean steam voyages and steam locomotive railways and Colonial self-government were pronounced impracticable. That argument will, I am confident, become "small by degrees and beautifully less," as full consideration and discussion of the subject in all its aspects proceeds. The chief advocate of the second argument is Mr. John Bright. He is actuated by tenderness towards Colonies. He is afraid that by Imperial Federation they would become involved in the warlike foreign policy of the United Kingdom. He seems to forget that they are already involved in British foreign policy, and under most unfavourable conditions. They are now forced to bear the consequences of that foreign policy, without any voice in its determination and in its conduct. Apart from the case of actual war, which would probably be most disastrous to them, they are more or less sufferers from mistakes and shortcomings on the part of the Imperial Government in foreign affairs. Surely, it would be better for the Colonies, and more in accordance with page 4 constitutional principles, if the Colonies had a due share of self-government in Imperial matters, as well as local self-government, even at the cost of a due share in Imperial taxation for Imperial purposes. But, as Mr. Bright plainly hints, the Colonies are at liberty to part from the Empire and to float [unclear: int] space. True; and in that reminder lies the whole question, Mr. Bright does not dislike the idea of the disruption of the British Empire; while those who advocate Imperial Federstion wish to preserve the integrity of that Empire. Argument as to the best means of union is of course lost on those [unclear: wh] care nothing about that union. The centre of controversy, in that case, is shifted elsewhere, and other arguments [unclear: a] necessary. In the following pamphlet I have taken as granted the advantage of securing the unity of the Empire.

W. Gisborne.