South Canterbury Times, WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 1881.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2551, 25 May 1881, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 1881.

Thk telegraphic summary of Sir George Grey’s speech to the electors of Auckland gave no fair idea of his remarks upon the subject of the colonies being consulted as to the course of Imperial legislation. The member for the Thames says his plea is n new one. No doubt it is, so far as it has not been discussed in the colonies ; but it is a remarkable coincidence that a few weeks before Sir George Grey propounded his novel scheme, a number of influential Australians, who are now in the Old Country, had interviewed the Colonial Secretary and advocated a similar plan. At Sir George Grey says the colonials are “ dumb dogs,” having no member in the British Parliament, no colonists who are Peers, to represent their interests in the House of Lords. This is perfectly true ; but it must also be fully borne in mind that we are not taxed by the British Government, that we contribute nothing directly to carry out the Imperial policy. This question of taxation is at the root of the matter. Once the colonies are permitted to give advice, it will naturally follow that they will often expect that advice to be followed—we are so much wiser than the people of Home Country. However, one can hardly think that the interests of the colony are overlooked in the foreign relations of the Empire. Surely British statesmen have too wide a grasp to ignore the “ Greater Britain,” In a multitude of councillors there is wisdom, and nothing would be lost and something might be gained by furnishing, from an authoritative source, the British Government with the views of colonists. But federation of some kind must precede the formation of such a system of advice, otherwise the plan would not work at all. On all tariff questions Victoria would most likely be at variance with New South Wales, whilst New Zealand would be unable to agree with either, A Federal Council, taking the voice of the majority, appears to us the only feasible plan of representing the views of the colonies. Sir George Grey does not seem to think that federation can be carried out'; He wants New Zealand to set the example in giving advice, and he thinks that every other colony would follow suit. That is not likely. Colonists are shrewd enough to see that contradictory fragments of advice would exercise little or no influence at Home, and might simply serve to bring colonists into contempt for interfering with questions which did not concern them. The selection of the proper subjects on which to give advice would often be a matter requiring delicate consideration. It has times out of number been alleged that though Sir George Grey’s views are fundamentally correct, the means he

suggests for carrying them out are of the most impracticable kind. As this question of Boards of Advice is likely to attract considerable attention in the immediate future, we will give Sir George Grey’s words on the subject:—

Everybody says, “ Federate the Empire” but how is it to be done? We have great weight if we please to use it; and we can exercise great influence in Great Brit ain if we please to do so. The world has altered. The cable has come into operation, and we can send a message to London without difficulty in a few hours. The plan, therefore, that I have to propose is this. Looking at the whole Empire; I say that our welfare absolutely depends upon the welfare of Great Britain and of Ireland. We can signify our approval or disapproval of everything that takes place. If we decided to pass a resolution and send it to England it would be read out in the House of Commons, and would be better than having one or two members there. It would be heard and spoken of throughout the Empire. If such a resolution is carried and sent Home a step will be taken which can never be retraced in the Empire’s forward march —a point will be achieved of the utmost importance. It is quite possible that struggling populations may be animated, consoled, and comforted by something of the kind, and it is quite possible that it would prevent outrage and violence—that whilst for the condition of the authors of thei-e outrages and this violence we had sympathy, we could press and implore them to have recourse to other means —and our influence might have the greatest possible effect in preventing the disasters wh ch might otherwise take place. The advantage which would accrue to every one of us in consequence would be grea', and our representatives besides would be trained ; to consider questions with which they do not now occupy themselves. I believe that we should at once take our place in the Empire to which we arc entitled and in which wc might render great service to humanity at large.” The most striking feature of the above is the high-faluting talk about the services which New Zealand might render to mankind by giving a bit of timely advice to Old England. Sir George Grey is really burlesquing the matter. The utmost in reason that can be asked for is that the views of the colonies shall receive consideration on all questions which are likely to affect their interests.