olonies to come again and consult on
Imperial subjects. He would now touch upon some of the errors
prevalent on this great question of Imperial Federation. In some of
the Colonies, New Zealand in particular, something had been said
that in course of time independence must be the inevitable result.
But he asked why should this be the case? He would also like to say
something about what were Imperial questions? Some of the subjects
which would be dealt with by the Imperial Federated Parliament
would be those of National defence, peace and war, and all subjects
in which national interests are concerned. As he had attempted to
explain, it would be a federation in which the Colonies would be
completely and fairly represented. The whole subject resolved
itself into this: Representation. One hundred years ago, one of our
distinguished statesmen in England, Charles James Fox, said that
"representation was the sovereign remedy for all evils," and that
was what was contended for by Imperial Federation. He would now
venture to make some allusion to one of the most distinguished
statesmen in South Africa, who attended the Conference in
London--he alluded to Mr. Hofmeyr--who made a most remarkable
speech. He was sorry it was too long to read, but he would select a
portion of that very statesmanlike address. Referring to the fourth
and eighth subjects proposed for discussion--viz., the feasibility
of promoting a closer union between the various parts of the
British Empire by means of an Imperial tariff of Customs, to be
levied independently of the duties payable under existing tariffs
on goods entering the British Empire from abroad, the revenue
derived from such tariffs to be devoted to the general defence of
the Empire--he said: "I have taken this matter in hand with two
objects, to promote the union of the Empire, and at the same time
to obtain revenue for general defence. It would establish a
connecting link between the Colonies mutually, as well as between
the Colonies, and the Empire also, such as is not at present in
existence, and which might fuller develop, by-and-by, into a most
powerful bond of union." Again, speaking of how this was to be
effected, he said: "A body would be required with legislative, and,
to some extent, administrative powers; in other