IMPERIAL MATTERS.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume VII, Issue 6, 1 March 1903, Page 494

IMPERIAL MATTERS.

The Imperial Parliament has again been opened, and the Speech from the Throne duly delivered. Since so much has been done for the consolidation of the Empire, it is natural that an additional interest should be taken by colonials in the sittings of this august body. There can be but little doubt that the men composing it are not likely. to let new measures pass without adequate and full consideration, wherein they differ essentially from our colonial statesmen. Everything must be done with due deliberation and exemplary caution, no matter at what expenditure of time and trouble. Innovations cannot be rashly hurried in, or obnoxious bills ' passed, because it is less trouble to let them go through and get away than remain and fight them out. It is in this extreme caution and conservatism that the Britisher shines, but it is through it also that he does not often get the credit of instituting any very practical reforms, either in matters political, commercial or social. The stress of life and the adventurous spirit predominant in new countries leads one to be always on the lookout for something to make matters go more smoothly and easily, and there is a decided tendency to relax in some measure the caution which might prevent the adoption of some of the reforms which appear so feasible without overmuch of it.

The measures specified in the press cables as before the Imperial

Parliament do not, at first glamce, impress one as being very difficult questions to dispose of, nor is there, comparatively speaking, much of colonial significance about them. But we can feel convinced on one point, that the interests oft/lie colonies will no longer be ignored and neglected by the legislators of our Mother Country as they have undoubtedly often been in the past. The Venezuelan trouble appears to have been satisfactorily settled, and the Commission employed to consider the Alaskan boundary question should shortly enable that to be definitely fixed. Mr Chamberlain's reputation as a statesman promises to render the restoration of peace and order in South Africa a comparatively easy matter, so that it cannot be said that the Imperial outlook is by any means unpromising.

The movement in favour of creating a North Sea Squadron to counteract Germany's activity in increasing her fleet, was originated by a recent discovery that in case of an invasion of England an attack could be most successfully directed in those waters, and a landing effected in the North, instead of as Mr Stead prophetically announced, in London.