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'become perhaps like one of the South American republics or one
-of the minor nations, which really exercise no influence on human
affairs, and which are the very playthings of the powerful nations
of the earth. Now it is far better to belong to this great empire,
to continue an integral portion of it, than, from any mistaken
idea, to pander to a cry for independence that would not satisfy.
Now I have spoken of the loss of influence and advantage which I
really believe would be entailed on the colonies by separation.
Let me now ask you to consider what would be the effect on the
;United Kingdom itself. The colonies are the best field you have
'for the surplus labour and capital of this country. Reference has
/been most truly made by the Lord Provost to the sad condition of,
I am afraid, millions of the lower masses of this country. They
are getting crowded out of the various employments by which they
iive. They have to look abroad, and there is no part of the world
Hto which they can look with such confidence as our own colonies
for their future home. It is not a separation; it is not emigra-
tion in the sense of severing all those home ties which Scotsmen,
at any rate, have such a reverence for. It is carrying with them
abroad the remembrances of their old native country, and, as we
know perfectly well, having the closest and most intimate rela-
tions with the friends they have left behind. They are your best
customers. The statistical returns published monthly by the
Board of Trade unquestionably show that of all parts of the
world, of all the inhabitants of the earth, the British people
abroad are the best customers for their fellow-countrymen at
home. The emigration which has become a necessity for this
country would in the future tend to be a source of weakness. At
present it is a source of strength. It is a transference of what
you can very well spare to those portions of the empire which
require it, and the consequence is an additional strength here and
additional strength there. But if these countries are separate
from the United Kingdom, what is the result? They go to
strengthen some foreign element. It may be a friendly one, but
it may be, and very often is, an unfriendly one. Putting aside
-those reasons-which I think are in themselves very strong