We cannot leave the subject without expressing our surprise at
the unintelligent declaration of Mr. Martin, who concluded the debate. He stated that what the Colonies demanded most was their autonomy. But if this was to be given to thou we could not at the same time take it away and bring therm into an Imperial Parliament where each of those Colonies would be in a hopeless minority. Therefore, in his opinion, the resolution and the speeches in support of it were most mischievous. Present relations with the over-seas Colonies were ideal. We agree with the spirit of this last remark, but to think, as Mr. Martin apparently does, that the Dominions can get out of their obligations in regard to foreign policy by burying their heads in the sand is perfectly ridiculous. The self-governing Colonies may, as he implies, want to keep out of foreign complications, and we should like, no doubt, to save them from such complications if we could. Unfortunately, the securing of such ideal isolation does not lie with us, but with foreign Powers. If we are at war, however little the Colonies may understand or sympathise with the particular case, they are at war too, and may be made to suffer by our enemies. They are our partners, and must face the conse- quences of partnership.
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