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STEPS TO IMPERIAL FEDERATION. infantry are probably destined to play an important rôle in other fields. Would it not be possible to raise regiments of mounted infantry in Canada, in Australia, and in South Africa, one of the battalions of which would form the depôt in its own Colony whilst the other was serving in India or some other part of the Empire? Nothing could have a greater effect on the widening of the Colonial conception of Imperial responsibility in matters of defence than the fact that there were Canadians, Australians, and South Africans serving in peace time, as they have done so nobly in time of war, side by side with Englishmen, Irishmen, and Scotchmen in all corners of the world. Such a step as that suggested may be in advance of Colonial opinion at the present time, but the Colonies can certainly, by keeping the military forces—which are now, and must remain, under their own control—efficient and properly equipped, render great assistance in the direction already indicated.

To turn to the constitutional aspects of Imperial Federation.

'If I am asked, said Mr. W. E. Forster, in 1885, "How can the mother country be kept united with her Colonies?" I reply, "By an organization for common defence and a joint foreign policy." And again, to the question, "Why not leave matters alone?" I reply, "Self-government will end in separation if there be no such organization."' Exaggerated hopes were entertained in certain quarters as to the possibilities of the Conference of Colonial Premiers during the past summer. Such hopes were pre-doomed to disappointment. As pointed out over and over again by Sir Edmund Barton during his stay in this country, 'It is only 83