The Southland Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1872.

Southland Times, Issue 1681, 27 December 1872, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1872.

In returning to the subject of the Colonial Treasurer's reply to Earl Kimbeble^'s despatch, it must be noted that an objection raised by His Lordship to the request of the Colonies is apparently that to grant the same " would invite vast changes in the relations of different parts of the Empire." To mffriy this objection will carry considerable weight, and there is no doubt but that such must of necessity be the case, yet the same may be said as regards the introduction of any new scheme, because the results, whether of a tariff or other action, cannot be wholly confined to the colony or country enacting it. To argue that they are likely to be injurious is beside the mark, and the most strenuous supporter of Imperial fiscal regulation can scarcely come to a conclusion that I the request is or will be regarded in the United Kingdom as an expression " un- - friendly to Imperial interests." As has been before remarked, some of the Colonies are, by the wording of the Constitution Acts, precluded from entering into reciprocal Customs arrangements. It is not thus, however, witb New Zealand, as there it no legal difficulty raised by her Constitution Act to do as she pleases in the matter. The nominal power which she possesses is nevertheless nugatory, and must remain so unless the other Colonies of the Australasian group are placed on the same footing. In the words of the Colonial Treasurer, she " cannot reciprocate with herself," although her wishes herein have been sufficiently signified by the Bill, passed some time since, "reserved by the Governor for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure." The whole subject was duly considered before the concession was made to Canada. All that could be urged against jt was Jhen urgejd, and_the Triry Council for Trade, expressed theii approval of the proposed step, having duly weighed the contingencies which might arise, as is evident from the fact that the document expressing their appToval draws attention to possible diffi culties and contingencies in carrying it out. It is matter of history that the Imperial Government was really anxious to grant the request of the "Canadian Dominion, and now that toe experiment has been tried, its results may be confidently appealed to to dispel some of the fears which the Home Government affects to entertain as to the results which would attend a similar concession to the Australasian colonies. To these results the Colonial Treasurer refers, and deduces from them strong reasons against the denial of the request. There is one portion of his reply which ought to command a special attention, and which should act powerfully on the Home authorities. It is a suggestion " that arrangements between the Colonies and foreign countries'* need not " necessarily be made by the Colonies," but as being " more in consonance with an Imperial policy, might be made for the Colonies at their desire by the Imperial Government." The recorded opinions of the Imperial officers in the Colonies are strongly in favor of the concession. That of Mr Dtr Cane, Governor of Tasmania, has been already quoted, and the Earl of Belmobe gives" an opinion which is no less conclusive. He saya, " I am sure the true policy with regard to Australia, is, so far aa the law permits it, to do everything to bring its various divisions closer together, even at the expense of a certain amount of economic theory." That the law d6es permit it, the Canadian concession evidences, and the Colonial Treasurer properly narrows the question to this : " Should the theories of a comparatively modern school of economy outweigh the teachings of actual experience in the Colonies, backed by the recommendations of able, practical men, including among their number officers in the Imperial service ?" There is also an intimation that the request having been made, and waited for as long as it has been, the experience of years having in the meantime tended to strengthen the conviction of its necessity, it is not likely to be recalled. The alteration in the relative positions of the various groups of islands in the Pacific, which the last few years has effected, cr which a short time will in all probability suffice to effect, is a powerful argument — not merely for the con-venience—-but for the absolute necessity of the arrangements sought to be effected. In these groups we have dependencies of numerous powers, as French colonies, Dutch dependencies, an independent kingdom (Hawaii), United States' depen- , dencies, and others which may ultimately

become such, and the Fiji islands, of which the Imperial G-overnmenfc bas ' declined to accept the cesaion, pad which ' may for the present be reckoned an in r ' dependent kingdom. In respect to all J these, it is submitted the necessity must 1 sooner or later arise of regulating their relations with their Australasian neighbors, " and it muat be decided whether the Colonies .are to act for themselves, 'or whether the Imperial Government will act for them." We have been anxious to present the principle of the request as concisely as possible, and believe it will be admitted that the right is on the side of the Colonies, and also that its exercise will tend materially to their convenience and advantage and that of their neighbors, and further, that no disadvantage or complication to the British Empire can result therefrom. It cannot be shown that the power sought is asked for in a spirit hostile to the Empire, or that it has " grown out of any feeling which can be construed iuto evidence of a desire to weaken the connection or render less friendly the relations between the Colonies; and the mother country." Sooner or later, the concession doubtless will be made ; it is important, however, that it should be made before J;he r trade which is iiow apparently on the point of finding its way hither, should be'permanently diverted into another channel. The probability of thia diversion being -by no means remote, the persistent repetition of the request is absolutely necessary.