MEMORANDUM

Colonial Office, 28th January, 1860,

1 éreatly lament that F cannot join with my colleagues in their Report on the tary expenditure in the Colonies.

Three main principles appear to me to be laid down in the Report; first, that we cannot expect our colonial possessions to be made defensible at all points, and at all times: secondly, that some few posts, especially valuuble for Imperial purposes, should be dealt with exceptionally, and not included in any general scheme of colonial contribution; but, thirdly, that the whole remainder of our Colonies, without distinction or exception, ought to pay one uniform proportion of their military expenditure.

she ceases to be mistress of the seas, it is not forts or garrisons which will save her Colonies,

From the third proposition I am compelled to differ. 1 cannot think that the same fixed proportion ought to be contributed by all Colonies whatsoever, regardless of their inherent differences.

Suppose that some of the richer Colonies, such as those in Australia, particularly require troops, and are willing to contribute two-thirds of the expense, must we reject the offer if others contribute only one half? Or, again, suppose that some of the minor Colonies urgently need troops, but are unable to contribute more than a quarter of their expense, must we either refuse the troops, or reject the contribution, merely because other Colonies pay more?

. Uniformity is good, where circumstances are uniform: but where they differ it seems to me reasonable that practice should differ also; and as to the equity of the matter, surely it is quite as unjust to apply a uniform rule to different cases, as to apply a varying rule to cases which are alike.

Now, nothing can be more diversified, and, especially more unequal, than the condition of the British Colonies : they are exposed, some more, some less, to foreign invasion; some more and others less to perils from natives; the population in one kind of Colon’ ; js dense, in another scattered, in some it is peaceful, in others troublesome. and in a few it sprang from convicts sent out for the convenience of this country; again, in certain Colonies this population is British, in others foreign, in pait of them ît is wholly white, in part almost wholly colored, and in many it consists of a large proportion of both; above all, some are rich, and some are poor; is ft surprising with Colonies of such an infinite variety of condition, that both their demands for military assistance should be different, and their power of contribution unequal?

We are not bound, it is said, to equalise their advantages and disadvantages; poor nations, like poor individuals, must be content to be less well off than rich ones. This is perfectly true; but then the Colonies, especially the lesser Colonies, which most call for assistance, are not separate nations; they are members of one inmensely powerful and wealthy nation, from which they believe that they are entitled to some share of general protection. The question is what that share should be,

The Report admits, in handsome ferms, the claim of the Colonies to receive aid in their defence, but rests it solely on the ground that the Imperial Government has the control of peace or war, and is, therefore, bound in honor to assist in guarding others from suffering by its policy. I cannot think that this is the only ground, and that we

(1) Sessional Papers, 1862, No. 17,—deuxième partie.

must discard that of interest. Suppose that one of our Colonies should yield the longdesired advantage of a field for the supply of cotton, would not England have a direct

Without dwelling further, however, on ‘abstract ‘discussions, it may be more fruitful examine a little more closely some of the facts in the

For this Purpose, the Colonies may, perhaps be roughly divided into the following classes :—

ist. Great and unmixed European Communities, such as those in British North

communities which are large and thrivin<, but jn contact with

powerful and warlike natives, such as the Colonies of New zealand and the Cape of Good Hope,

Sd. Limited numbers of European Planters and settiers situated in the midst of large colored populations, such ns the West Indices and the Eastern Colonies.

4th. Mere handfuls of white functionaries and merchants dwelling in the midst of overwhelming numbers of black races, both subject and independ Colonies on the Western Coast of Africa.

I think it will be seen at a glance, that jt would be difficult to frame any general rule which should be equally applicable to all of such dissimilar societies. It seems to me very doubtful whether they ought, on account of any abstract principle, or for

mere convenience, to contribute equally to their Military expenditure; it is certain that they could not do, so in point of fact.