NEW COLONIAL MINISTER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 235, 27 June 1908, Page 5

NEW COLONIAL MINISTER.

THE CREWE POLICY. BY TELEGRAPH; —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHI (Rec. Juno 26, 10.30 p.m.) London, June 26. Speaking at tho Queensland dinner, the Under-Secretary for tlio Colonies (Lieut.Col. Soely) emphasised the fact that it was tho idea of Lord Crewe (Seorotary for tho Colonies) to keep the Colonial Office entirely apart from party politics. TO AVOID THE "ERROR OF MEDDLING." . With regard to the Foreign Office, the principle of- continuity—which aims nt proventing a dislocation of policy with tho outgoing and incoming of parties—has long been reoognised. The Colonial Offico nowadays deals with subjects almost'as largo and "non-party" •as does .the Foreign Office. A notable speech was delivered by Lord Crowe (tho now Secretary for tho Colonies) at tho Colonial Institute dinner in May. After referring to the growth of the Empire, ho said that the age of expansion had now given place in some ways to,tho even moro important and more interesting ago of dov.olopmoiit. Lord Crewe proceeded to glance at the development of Canada, of Australia, and of South Africa. "Of South Afrioa lie said it. was entirely composed of, self-governing communities. It had difficult, problems to face, but ho believed it would faco them with the same determination and the same grit with which other parts of tho ; Empire had solved their problems. (Cheers.) Wo hoped it might not bo a very distant day before tho different units of South Africa were.fused together. (Cheers.) That was a consummation, and ho thought they might all look forward with satisfaction, and he thought he might venture to say that, whatever Government was in power, whoover might be the representative of tho Government at tho Colonial Offico, wo should not fall into tho error of tampering or meddling too much in that matter, but wo should desire to see thoso who wore qualified-to speak for-the dilTeront Colonies of South Africa carefully considering the dift'orent problems which were sot before thorn before wo over attempted to raise an advisory voiso in the matter. (Cheers.)"