Liberal Imperialism
It fell to Lord Cranbome, who until the other day was Colonial Secretary, to speak for the Government in the House of Lords debate on Colonial policy last week. He insisted that so far from having reason to be ashamed of our administration in the Colonies, there is much in it of which we might be proud. He maintained that our recent failure in Malaya had nothing whatever to do with the administration of the country ; it was a military defeat. Lord Cranborne spoke of the principles that have guided our recent Colonial policy, and some of the administrative measures taken, and did not attempt to commit his successor in regard to future programmes ; and he did not say whether he accepted the view that a stahding joint select committee on Colonial affairs should be created. The difficulty in generalising about the Colonies is that each has its own separate problems, and that they have not all reached the same stage of development. Self-government is the ultimate aim for all, but only some of them are advanced enough for any large degree of association in self-government. The plan generally is to make what use can be made of customs that exist in a country, and pave the way by stages with a view to ultimate self-governing institutions. The course of preparation means more education, better health services, and provision for social security. Interesting results may be expected from the work of the Colonial Labour Advisory Committee. It must be among our first aims to improve the standard of living throughout the Colonial Empire, and if such improvement is to be rapid this country must be pre- pared to provide more capital for development, having always in
mind that the interests of the native population must be the main consideration. Unfortunately, foreign opinion is apt to judge our Colonial administration by the records of the last century, and too little is known about what is being done today. It is of great importance that by better publicity we should develop an informed public opinion both at home and abroad, so that effective thinking may be done here, and fair criticism become possible outside. We- have more ground for pride than for self-reproach.
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