OFFICIAL NOTICE TO THE COLONIES.
THOROUGHGOING subserviency to any authority often begets in- genuousness, by removing all doubt or scruple' and so disarming discretion. Mr. Hawes has let fall words which discover the rule of the Colonial Office in certain important affairs, and give to all injured colonies a valuable hint. Mr. Hume had threatened that if justice were not done to Jamaica and British Guiana in certain financial affairs, their Legislatures might stop the supplies. Mr. Hawes, according to the report of the Times, answered in this wise— "With respect to the course her Majesty's Government might take if Jamaica or Guiana should refuse to defray the expense of the public establishments, he would only say, "sufficient for the day is the evil thereof." If such a state of things should arise, it would then be for the Government to determine how they should act towards those who might have a fa ir claintitpon the attention and justice of the Mother-country. He must say, however, that he had no reason to suppose that either Jamaica or Guiana would act in the manner anticipated by the hon- ourable Member for Montrose. If the colonists considered that a redaction of public expenditure was necessary, and if they calmly and fairly weighed the just claims ot individuals and the interests of the Colonies, he was satisfied that there would be no objection on the part of his noble friend the Colonial Secre- tary to a just and well-considered scheme of economy. He thought the noble Lord was bound to oppose any crude and sweeping measures, which might peril the best interests of the Colonies; but he was convinced that any well-considered scheme of improved administration or economy would meet with. the most cordial and earnest attention of his noble friend."
So Mr. Hawes avows that Ministers "will determine bow they shall act towards those who have a fair claim on the attention and justice of the Mother-country "—when the Colonial Legisla- tures rebel ! They will understand : in Colonial affairs, the Whig Ministers wish a very strong form of "pressure from without."
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