Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1891. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXIX. RELATIONS OF THE AUSTRALASIAN COLONIES TO THE MOTHER COUNTRY. Major-General Edwards's Inspection of the Internal Defences of the Colonies--The External Defences should belong to the Mother Country--Reciprocal Benefits--Preferential Import Rates on Goods in the British and Inter-Colonial Trades--Union between Great Britain and her Colonies of Mutual Advantage--Impossibility of Separation Between this Country and her Colonies--Influence of American Protection upon Trade--Result of Free Trade with the United States of America--Liability of the Colonies to follow America rather than Great Britain--A Scotchman's regard for the " Old Country, '1 and how little of it adheres to his Descendants--The Reserve in the Manners of the People of Britain Contrasted with the Frankness of Americans and Australians--Trade Prospects in the United States--Time ripe for Closer Union of Great Britain and her Colonies--Stages in the History of Colonial Independence--.Subdivision and Federation--Local Self-Government--What it leads to--Colonial Federation leads to Imperial Federation--Strength in Weakness--Colonial Necessity for Outside Protection--Proposals of the Imperial Federation League--Intercourse with the Colonies--Value of Personal Inspection--Even by the Secretary for the Colonies--Froude's visit to Australia and New Zealand--" Oceana." The Internal Defences of the Colonies were in 1889 made the subject of special investigations by MajorGeneral Edwards, an officer sent by the British Government to examine and report upon them. This report is likely to mark a new epoch in the history of Colonial defences. The opinion of an expert has been given in terms which are unmistakable and which do not mince matters. It was not to be expected that, without the quickening in...
