the advantage of England that the first of these principles–viz., the right of each self-governing part of the Empire to manage its own local affairs, should be adopted. I have shown you that it is not only to the advantage of India and the Colonies, but to the advantage of England as well, that matters of Imperial interest should be managed by a body properly constituted to deal with them. I have shown you that if we do give up our exclusive control in these matters, the Colonies must relieve us of that part of taxation which we bear on their behalf. I have addressed myself mainly to you as Liberals who wish to see Parliament free to devote its attention to English domestic problems. I have been told that the British elector cares for absolutely nothing that does not touch his own immediate interests. It may be the case that the British democracy is in ordinary times the most unpatriotic of people; but I am perfectly certain that there is a deep latent feeling of patriotism which is aroused when the occasion demands it. I am confident that there are few Englishmen who can read the history of the building up of this Empire of ours without a feeling of just pride. Does not the growth of Canada and Australia, the work above all which we have done in India, awaken the most serious consideration as to the moral responsibilities of our race? We have shown we have a genius for self-government, and for the government of native races, which no other nation has possessed; we should not shirk the responsibilities, to the whole as well as to the various parts. We have an immense task to perform for the peace and civilisation of mankind, if we only have the will to undertake it. A united British Empire will represent
