Page:Problems of Empire.djvu/35

 IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT. question on which the electors of this country will have to make up their minds.

Lord Salisbury told the deputation of the Imperial Federation League, introduced by Lord Brassey, that it was due to an extravagant modesty on their part, that they had no definite scheme to propose. He then proceeded to state what appeared to him to be the difficulties of the problem. Though I have endeavoured to point out a practical remedy for some of the difficulties of Imperial government in relation to local self-government, for the difficulties indicated by Lord Salisbury I have put forward no practical solution. The Zollverein we have already put on one side. But for a Kriegsverein, or union for the defence of the Empire, we see our way to a practical step partly suggested by the arrangement adopted at the last Colonial Conference of 1887. At another Colonial Conference the following proposals can be made: Delegates to be appointed by the legislatures of the various self-governing parts of the Empire to an assembly which shall have control of (a) foreign relations; (b) India and the Crown Colonies; (c) Imperial defence. Grants to be made by the legislatures of the various self-governing countries for the purposes of Imperial defence, over which the aforesaid Imperial assembly will have absolute control. The amount of representation and contribution to be determined at the conference, and the arrangements to be ratified by the various legislatures. The arrangement to be subject to revision at the end of ten years.

Now, in placing the three principles of Imperial government before you to-night, I have shown you that it is not only to the advantage of Ireland but to 17