Parliament and the Colonies
A leading article in The Times has initiated a valuable discussion in its correspondence columns of the suggestion that a Committee of Parliament should be established to survey and discuss the administration of the colonies. The variety of proposals put forward fully excuses Mr. Cham- berlain for his refusal last session to come to any premature decision ; but the general sense that at present Parliamentary discussion of colonial matters is disgracefully meagre and ill-informed shows that a decision must be come to in the near future. The proposals include a committee with legis- lative powers ; a committee, presided over by the Colonial Secretary, with executive powers ; an advisory committee ; and a standing committee of Parliament. Some of these proposals involve, as the Prime Minister has pointed out, important constitutional changes ; and they overlook the fact that the real need is to strengthen the control of Parlia- ment itself. To provide a substitute will rather increase than diminish Parliament's neglect of the colonies and tend to divest it of its responsibility. The main objective would be reached if a committee were set up, in whatever form, which would serve as a Parliamentary centre of information, enquiry and discussion, and if sufficient Parliamentary time were set aside to discuss Colonial affairs with the thorough- ness they demand but are at present denied.
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