COLONISATION.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 848, 10 August 1871, Page 3

COLONISATION.

A late number of " Eraser's Magazine ," says : —" We look to the colonies as the immediate refuge for millions of our countrymen, as offering at once a complete and the only solution for our social difficulties, and as giving us an opportunity of recovering the esteem of the world, which we are so uneasy under the conception of having lost. We believe that our power is despised; and, though we hate war, we almost wish for it that we may redeem our reputation. It is well that we should be prepared for all possibilities. We spend fifteen millions a year on our army, and we have a right to insist that some sort of an army should be forthcoming. If other nations interfere with us while we are about our legitimate business, we must so bear ourselves in the quarrel that they shall bbware of meddling with us for the future. But if we wish to win back their respect by making war ourselves, there is a campaign which we might open like no other—-a campaign against administrative incapacity, against swindling and cheating, against drunkenness and uncleannes»i against hunger and squalor and misery; against the inhuman vices which are bred as in a hotbed in our gigantic Cities; against the universal root of the disorders which are preying upon us—the all-pervading, all devouring love of money. We desire wealth and honour and long life ; if wo -desire to do our duty first we shall have them;

' all these, things shall bo added unto us.' If we desire these things themselves first, we shall find ignominy for honour; for long life all-pervading misery; and along with tho riches a curse which will for ever render them unprofitable to us. We, in mere greed of gain, haVo permitted England to become over-peopled : is it an injustice to ask that, out of the large piles of money which chbap labour has heaped up for us, a small fraction shall be taken to save the families of those who have toiled for us from being swamped in wretchedness ? Mr. Fawcett exclaims that, if we open an easy road to tho colonies, our best workmen will leave us. Let us hope, 'rather, that by relieving the evergrowing pressure we may make England more endurable to them. But, if it be so, why should we wish them to stay ! Let the colonies remain attached to us, and wherever our people thrive best they will conduce most to the strength of the Empire, of which they will continue as much subjects as before."