BRITISH COLONIAL POLICY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2932, 18 November 1916, Page 13

BRITISH COLONIAL POLICY

In "British Colonial Polioy, 17831915," a handy little volume published by Mr. Humphrey Milford (London), Mr. 0. H. Ourroy, M.A., gives an interesting and well-told account of colo- . nial and Imperial development since j the days following the revolt of. tho ; America u States. Besides surveying . Imperial evolution in its three main ; stages—centralisation, devolution, and: co-operation—Mr. Currey finds space to t deal informatively' with not a few of i the detail problems and questions with , which colonists and the British Gov- , eminent had to grapple in bygone days, | or which bear, upon Imperial develop- , merit to-day. • A better introductory . guide to the history of colonial de- •' velopment could not well be desired. | Tho book, though it runs to only about i- 260 pages, contains a surprising wealth [ of information, and has interest and value, not only as an historical digest, i but as a contribution.to the discussion of Imperial problems which still [ await a settlement. On the greatest.' , question of all—lmperial. federation— , Mr. Cnrroy makes out a good case for the moderate viow that the future '. organisation of the Empire, whatever . its precise form is to be, must.be con* sistent, if it is to bo successful, with those principles which have determined: its evolution up in tho present. "It is idlo," lie maintains/ "to formulate an elaborate constitutional soheme, and endeavour to mould the Empire accordingly. Tho British political- genius does not work in that way'. Let us havo no break'with'-the: past,-.let: the evolutionary process" which- hasi now culminated in that.; .'admirable : and uniquo Assembly,' the Imperial' Conference, continue. ' By ;:recognisihg, consciously or unconsciously, the human element in the Empire, by maintaining: the greatest elasticity and flexibility in our Imperial organisation, by giving Liberty tho fullest .ecope,. by allowing tho Individual to go -forward! and fulfil his mission, by exercising a wise' opportunism, .tho happiest results havo ensued." This passago gives -the keynote of the book. 'It is to agroo or disagree with Mr. Currey's conclusions, but no one can read such a lucid and temporate account of colonial and Imperial history as ho gives without realising how potent the forces and influences are wnich make, and! have made, for Imperial consolidation, apart from, and sometimes in spite of, the policy measures in favour of any, given time.