restored, and that the population of the West Indies and the
ruling raee there will have very soon given to them the same
measure of serf-government which is enoJred by the other colonies.
Now, leaving out the Indian Empire, the self-governing colonies
occupy seven-eighths of the whole territory of the empire, or
seven millions of square miles. They have a population now of
10,800,000 souls, and of these nine millions are the descendants of
the people of these islands. It is the same race, certainly as well
educated, as enterprising, and as -progressive; and in point of
numbers, though scattered over a large expanse, it actually exceeds
the population of Ireland and Scotland to-day. They have a
revenue of 29 millions, obtained and expended in the govern-
ment and the maintenance of law and order throughout this vast
expanse of territory. Their trade, export and import, amounts
to 175 millions, of which 90 millions is with the mother country,
and 85 millions with foreign countries. I think it will be rather
surprising to many gentlemen to know that there is so large
an interchange of productions between the colonies of the
empire-the self-governing colonies, without reference to India-
as 85 millions with foreign nations. In 1890-it will very soon
reach us-there can be no doubt that Canada and Australia, alone
will have 10 millions of population, and probably the other
colonies will bring up the total to 14 millions. Now the question
arises, whether that population-intelligent, educated, energetie-
is likely to remain contented with precisely the same share which
they now have in the great affairs of the British Empire. I
think it may be doubted. It is a very doubtful question whether,
as these various countries increase in material-we may say
national-strength, they will continue to be pleased with the
position they occupy to-day. At the same time, the only sugges-
tion which apparently has been offered -in some quarters, and to
which I alluded a few moments, ago, is that, if they are not
content, separation must follow. -Now, is this either desirable or
necessary? It is a question, I think, of the utmost importance,
and one which I answer in the negative. It is, in my opinion,
neither desirable nor necessary. There can be no question that