The papers on Friday contained an interesting piece of news.
The Federal Ministry, on behalf of the people of the Australian Commonwealth, has telegraphed an invitation to Mr. Chamberlain to visit Australia, adding that the Prefer- ential Trade Leagues which are being formed would receive a great impetus from such a visit. The Australian enthu- siasm for Imperial preference would seem, therefore, to be in need of some such fillip as the visit of the great Prefer- entialist would give. This episode seems to us typical of the methods of the whole campaign. Colonial enthusiasm for an Imperial fiscal union is alleged as the reason why Britain must revise her fiscal policy ; and in the same way the self-denying intentions of the British people are to be used to excite Colonial enthusiasm. We do not object to the method, which is common enough in pOlitice, a means being used to secure an end, and then the end in turn being used to strengthen the means ; but it disposes of Mr. Chamberlain's argument that it is the Colonies who are forcing the hand of the Mother-country.
Previous page
