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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7795, 15 November 1886, Page 4

From the telegrams from England in another column we learn that the London Times has been startled at the pretensions of Australia to have an interest in the settlement of questions of the foreign policy of the British Empire. It appears that Sir Graham Berry, the Agent-General for Victoria, with that self-assertion which is characteristic of him, as it is of the colony which he represents, has given utterance to sentiments to this effect, claiming that Australia should ha re a voice in deciding foreign policy, and the Thunderer sees in such pretensions an illustration of the obstacles that lie "■> the way of Imperial Federation, and which, if Imperial federation were effected would paralyse English diplomacy. » e can hardly think that the indefatigable and under-rated representative of * IC ' toria has gone the length of claiming that such rights should be immediately exercised, or that he has preferred a claim that under existing circumstances Australia should influence the decision of the Imperial Government in relation, say, to the election of a new monarch for the Bulgarians; and we are pretty safe in saying that either reference was made to such questions as those affecting the settlement of the New Hebrides, or that he was speaking of abstract principles, to be applied only in the coming time, when the colonies have a different status from that which they hold to-day. In either case we fail to see why the leading journal of England should be startled at the boldness of the proposal. So far as regards questions of seizure or foreign occupation in the Western Pacific, it has been already accepted as a principle of policy by the Imperial Government that the voice oj the colonists should not only weigh, but be of paramount value in any possible settlement, even although no federation has been formed, and the wishes o colonists have been gathered in a P r °" miscuous way. As to how it would had the colonies federated and spoken 1° a constitutional way as with one voice, we can hardly think that even the Lonao Times could have any doubt; and bey on any question they would hare bee conceded a voice to this extent in deciding of the foreign policy of Empire. But our great contempow. ; is apparently alarmed at the P° *' bilities that are involved m . , colonies, controlling the foreign ap macy of England in relation foreign nations and all foreign qnes » and to minds accustomed to see the lute control of the Empire centering St. Stephen's, the idea of authoriity . g dispersed over the Empire, or grariWS to the antipodes, must appear a P . tons innovation. But it wooH teresting to know in what form w of the British Empire the minds of those who shrin a idea of the colonies having . of t ) l9 controlling the foreign P J doubts Empire. No one probably no that wftliia a reasonable ota» ,

_ res colonial dependencies of England vastly outnumber in population, ft nd excel in wealth, and consequently in Dower, all contained within the poast line of the British Islands. And when that time comes how will it be ■with questions of peace and war, and even with questions of which peace or war may be the possible issue? Would the Times actually suppose that in such circumstances the majority in numbers, wealth, and strength would be content to be dragged at the chariot wheels of the minority whithersoever they were pleased to lead? Can it be imagined for a moment that the colonies would | tolerate being brought into collision with the Great Powers of the earth without having had any voice in determining whether it was to be peace or war ? Any irregular action on the part of the colonies in their present inchoate relations would no doubt be embarrassment and paralysis. But whatever may bo the reluctance at the present moment to consider and adjust the claims and pretensions of the colonies, increase of their strength will c«mpel the consideration, and force the adjustment of the relations of the several parts of the Empire to the whole ; and it does geem to show extraordinary shortsightedness on the part of men of light and leading when we find such an organ of public opinion as the Times starting back, as if affrighted, at the sight of the colonies claiming to have a voice in moulding the foreign relations of an Empire in which they will form by far the major part.