NEWS OF THE WEEK.
DISTINGUISHED from the staler and minor subjects of political ac- tivity, this week, is the newly-organized coalition of independent politicians to obtain the reform of Colonial Government. The movement is undoubtedly peculiar,—combining as it does a Lyt- telton, a Baring, and a Stafford, a Molesworth, a Milner Gibson and a Cobden, a Napier, a Walpole, and an Adderley,—men of an leading parties : but while it is too formidable to be slighted, the presence of political friends perplexes opponents on every side. The party really in alarm is simply the official party, and that as such ; for we hear no note of hostility from any other quar- ter. But the utmost art is used by the scouts and pickets of the official party to prepare some diversion to the anticipated attack next session. A. Mussulman fatalism is employed to represent the present state of Colonial affairs as inevitable and inherent in colo- nial nature. " The history of every colony that we possess is but one continuous series of difficulties, from its conquest or its set- tlement to the present hour. The Annexation movement in Canada is but the last movement in a varied game begun at the capitulation of Quebec; and carried on by successive generations of statesmen and agitators." While the enterprise of amending the chaotic condition of affairs is represented I as hopeless, the most is made of the heterogeneous elements of the coalition, as one that will not work. But indeed, of all impracticable ideas, that is the most so which supposes that the "thal course of things can continue without ending in a break-up ; the fatalist whom we quote manifestly looks forward to one at taut day. The too clever writer makes an over candid ad- .," While the, lions ana- T'Pqialature are thus lying down together in paradisaical harmony as to the govern- ment of our Colonies, the greater part of the British world ex- -presses its Colonial sympathies by abusing the Colonial Office, Down- ing Street, and Lord Grey." He admits the " deep impression" per- vading ""all clasies of politicians, that the ground has shifted under us, and that the Mother-country must adapt her policy to the new state of things ; the new state being, in fact, a spontaneous develop- ment of the Colonies themselves." 'Very true : this is the whole case. , ' The Colonies have been misgoverned by generations of statesmen, and our actual Ministers have fairly lost hold of all government of the Colonies ; the'whole political world condemns the Colonial Office and Lord Grey ; the Colonies have taken the matter into I) their own hands ; and, fearing that the Imperial Government may
1 be completely deposed, some of the more far-seeing and earnest of our public • men have united to prevent that disastrous and itlisgraoeful revolution. Virtually the Times confesses that there is no ease on the other side—nothing to be said against the occasion or objects of the Society for the Reform of Colonial Government.
4 report has obtained some currency, that Ministers are about to propose " an extension of the franchise," based on a householder rating." Without calling this extension " a tub to the whale," or a measure planned "for rejection," the very friends of Minis- ters wh, spread the report to their credit, let out that the mo- tive is to divert attention from more troublous pursuits,—per- haps the Financial Reform movement, or this formidable Colonial movement. A less credible rumour is, that some Tory party means to propose—universal suffrage ! Togue la galere. Minis- ters and Ex-Ministers emulating the competition of rival playhouse managers !
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