An " Ex-M.P." writes to the Times to recommend that
the Colonies should contribute towards; the •support of the British Navy. The Dutch Colonies pay fbr'their ship* and " Ex-M.P." seems to think that the Colonies would he delighted to secure more frequent visits- from our' squadrons, or even in some cases stationary ships, at a certain sacrifice of money. If that is true, it might be possible to organise a small colonial fleet ; but we are a little doubtful both of the justice and of the wisdom of the proposal. It is rather hard, when we claim the exclusive right of deciding the fordgn policy of the Empire, that the Colonies should be called on to defend themselves by land and sea too ; and any contribution would involve a. right of complaint as to the distribution of the Fleet, which would. sadly hamper• the Admiralty. As- to' extra allowances for services performed in Colonial waters, they would be resisted by any experienced First Lord. His life would be a burden to him, under the pressure to'send men with interest to the favoured stations. He has enough of that already, in the pressure to keep favourites' away from dangerous or disagreeable duty:
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