! Wtl&atfm f ttfrcjjetxbmi FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1871.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3191, 5 May 1871, Page 2

Wellington Independent FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1871.

The last mail brought a pamphlet addressed to us, we presume, by the author, consisting of "Papers and Letters," by R. A. Macfie, M.P., member of the Royal Colonial Institute. In this brochure what is commonly called the Colonial .Question is rather diffusely discussed. The object of the writer seems to be to keep this question (and perhaps himself) prominently before the public. The interest in the question is evidently lagging. The Royal Colonial Institute of which the author seems proud to be a member, appears to have failed to rouse any vivid interest in the colonies at home, and the»result of all the Cannon street meetings may be thus shortly summed up—" Sir, we had talk." Our author is himself unmistakeably in earnest. In fact, like the man with the velocipede, he is sometimes run away with by his very earnestness, and is hard to overtake ! It is not very easy reading. He is too diffuse, too general. After a cursory perusal, we come to the conclusion that t^e whole might have been said in one-tenth of the space, and that the eloquence had been better left out. The question is one for the exercise of calm reason, and it is sufficiently important and interesting, at least to"colonists, without requiring in its discussion rhetorical flights and .empty declamation, which rather disturb, than please or enlighten. In what relation the British colonies staud to the British Government, and in what respect this relation may be modified with advantage to either or both, are the two questions which press for a solution. In discussing these questions, however, Mr Macfie does not show a full comprehension of the existing facts in the relation of the colonies to the mother country, and he seems to understand far less of the relation which each bears to another in the same or neighboring group. It will not be wondered at, then, that what he proposes in room of " the present system," is inept, impracticable, and absurd. Here it is : — " I apprehend we are shut up to one conclusion and one course. That course perfectly satisfies some. If others can show a better, let them. Till then, and in its absence, we may be allowed to maintain and urge that the most, or the only, logical procedure is to super-impose over the several Parliaments and Administrations of the United Kingdom and the colonies a representative Cabinet or Council, in vested under the Queen, with supreme power to act as a Legislature or Execu^ tive for the Empire. To such a body would be entrusted the determination of queslions of peace or war ; of contributions of men and money for naval and military purposes ; of international treaties, and of all laws affecting the Empire as a whole." What are to be the qualifications of members. of this Imperial Council at home and in the colonies : whether they are to be wholly elected, or selected, or both; what is to be the basis of representation, if any how, they are to consult their constituents while passing measures for their Government ; how smaller provinces would fare whose interests would be at the mercy of a majoriiy in the Council called from the four quarters of the globe ; how British and colonial debts, already incurred, would be consolidated ; and how the colonies would gain by being called on to pay their share of the national debt of England, and contribute to the expense of its army and nayy — these, and a host of other questions equally interesting, Mr Macfie disposes of by never once alluding to them ! In a letter to the " Times," dated November 25, it is true ho is a little more explicit. He writes : — " I have suggested that the Secretary of State for the Colonies, speaking in the name of the Queen, should invite the more important colonies to commission deputies to confer together in London, on the best means of defending the Empire, and promoting its security, power, and union. The subject of federal connection- would of course arise." And in a postscript he adds : ! "The subsequent ma.\\ brought the following.' It is from the Wellington \ Independent, but expresses a view not I generally entertained, I hope, in the now contented and satisfied colony of New Zealand." Then follows a long quotation from our remarks, written at a time before we wore fully aware of

the beneficial action of Commissioners Bell and Featherston on the Colonial Office ; and referring particu- j larly to the tone of (he despatch announcing the withdrawal of the troops, and its publication in the London papers lefore it was received by the Governor to whom it was addressed. "We cannot shut our eyes to the fact that the colonial question, from a question of empire has dwindled down into a mere question of money. The noble and patriotic and colonising principles which rendered Britain what she is are now no more in the ascendant, &c." It does seem very wonderful that Mr Macfie should expect, and indeed assume New Zealand to be contented and satisfied now, without pointing out in detail what that " now" was meant to imply, we can only take it to mean the successful result of the negotiations of our Home Commissioners ; and, assuming this is our author's meaning, it is still more wonderful that what he believed, had contented and satisfied New Zealand, he should never propose as a general remedy fov all dissatisfied colonies. If by sending home fully accredited Commissioners to put the case of the colony fairly before the Imperial authorities, so happy a result had followed, we are surprised he never recommends the same simple expedient to be adopted in the case of others. And yet after all. can there be suggested a course so free from complications, so likely to meet the case of individual colonies, and their ever-varying necessities ? We trow not, and therefore we think that the entente cordiale between Great Britain and New Zealand is most likely to be maintained by the same agency by which it was reestablished. In the mission of Dr. Featherston to London as the AgentGeneral for New Zealand we see a better chance for us receiving our due share of attention (and we ask no more) at the hands of the Imperial authorities, than by sending a dozen representatives to be outvoted in an Imperial Council by the representatives of Canada or of South Africa, or ol the British Islands, whenever our special requirements are brought prominently forward. We en tirely dissent from the conclusion come to by the writer of an article in the " Contemporary Review" which Mr Macfie " read with singular pleasure, and which he thinks ought to be circulated widely, if possible, in the form of a cheap pamphlet ;" although many of its leading opinions we have only lately advocated in our columns. We think our " view of it will be generally entertained" when it is known to be Mr Mac fie's proposal, only in other words : " A senate or parliament of representatives from every province, deliberating in public, and acting on the decision of the majority, would, of necessity, satisfy all the objections to the present system."