THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1869.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 595, 9 November 1869, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1869.

The most important portion of the budget of news brought by the last English mail was that relating to the discussion now being actively carried on by English statesmen and the English press upon the future relations of Great Britain and her Colonies. It is wonderful how rapidly the idea of Colonial independence is gaining ground at home, and in quarters where it was perhaps least expected. The discussion appears to have been called forth by the proceedings of a number of influential Australian and New Zealand colonists at present in London, who have proposed that a Colonial Conference, composed of representatives from the various British Colonies, should be held in England with the view of influencing the Colonial policy of the British Governmen • • The promoters of this idea desire to establish firmer and more advantageous relations with the Mother Country. In their circular they propose, amongst other things, Representation for the Colonies in the Imperial Parliament ; the Constitution of an Imperial Congress, charged with special functions in which the Colonies should take part, and the placing those Colonies in which Responsible Government is carried out, upon the footing of foreign nations as regards diplomatic intercourse The Times, in a very able leader on the subject, places the whole bearings of the case plainly to both.the colonists and English people. It shows that the Executive Government of the United Kingdom, acting in harmony with the Imperial Parliament, has determined upon "abandoning the old policy of tutelage with its pretensions and responsibilities," and resolved to induce the Colonies "to take" up. the freedom of their manhood." This snrely is speaking plain enough, but the writer goes further, and ridicules the constant reference made by colonists to the " Mother Country," and the idea they form of Greatßritain's duties in that capacity. He shows that the mere fact that Englishmen choose to cross the seas and form themselves into separate communities imposes no real obligation upon England, to do more than shield the early pioneers from danger. And, looking at the question in its present aspect, he proceeds to point out that with very few exceptions the affairs of the Culonies are already managed by the colonists themselves, and asks whether it would not be better " for both Englishmen and Australians if the independence the latter have in fact should receive a name." The Times regards the idea of colonial representation in Parliament as absurd, as also the proposal to regulate the relations between Great Britain and the Colonies by a Board something»akiu to the Indian Board, but is evidently in favor of a federation of the Australian Colonies. The Spectator, which is, perhaps, the best-informed journal in England upon colonial affairs, approves of the proposed Congress, and evidently inclines to the idea of making the selfgoverned Colonies subordinate allies of England, relieved from all interference in their own affairs, but simply united by a federal bond with Great Britain. It advises that the colonists should place two alternatives before the people of England, " the abolition of the colonial office or the independence of the English- speaking dependencies. " Of course the other side of the question has its advocates, who would desire to see England continue her superintendence of the colonies, but the tone of the members of tho British Go, vernment during a recent debate upon the uubjoct shows in what direction tho s.olu-

tion of the question is tending. But whatever may be the opinion on one side or the other, all are unanimous that the question must be solved speedily one way or another. There can be no doubt about this : it is one of those questions which cannot wait, and it is therefore most desirable that the attention of the colonists of New Zealand should be directed to it, or else it may be possible that they may find themselves some day in a position for which they will be quite unprepared. Probably this important question will form one of the subjects of discussion at the Intercolonial Conference, to be held in Melbourne shortly, and we should not be surprised should the proposed commercial federation of the Australian Colonies assume a political form. Iv any case it is certain that the Parliament of New Zealand will have to discuss its relations with England in a much more practical and unsentimental manner than it did last session when for anybody to hint at such a thing as Colonial Independence was to earn the epithet of Fenian and Revolutionist.