Earl Russell on Monday brought forward his motion for a
commission to inquire into "the means best fitted to guarantee the security of every part of Her Majesty's dominions." The motion was of course absurd, as an Imperial policy is no subject for a Commission ; but the Earl's object was to express his .distaste for the policy of withdrawing all troops from the Colonies, a distaste which up to a certain point we share. When the Colonies will not do their part, take away soldiers ; but when they will, and still wish for a regiment or two as a symbol of the Imperial connection, it is poor economy to take them away. Lord Northbrook made a good though over-reasonable speech, on which we have com- mented elsewhere. Earl Grey made a speech really directed against colonial self-government, and therefore out of season, though full of matter for thought ; and Lord Granville glided away from the true point—which is the feeling to be cultivated be- tween Britain and the Colonies, whether we are to be relatives, allies, friends, or only hostile critics—to defend his conduct at the Cape. He is quite right there. The settlers and Dutchmen there are resisting self-government because they dislike taxation, but when they contribute their share they ought to have their patriotic pride fairly consulted. Nobody except an evangelical spinster lopes to keep friends by telling them of their faults, and doing nothing else.
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