Section II, 1918 [241] Trans. R.S.C. 



1776 and 1914, A Contrast in British Colonial Action 

 By Sir Robert A. Falconer, K.C.M.G., LL.D. 



(Read May Meeting, 1918) 



The title is open to criticism, for the word "colony" is not now 

 applied to Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. They 

 are "the overseas Dominions," and this fact proves that during the 

 period which has elapsed since the American Revolution British 

 Imperial Policy has been transformed. Though for some years the 

 use of the word "colony" as applied to these countries has been 

 almost obsolete, the significance of the new policy of the British 

 Empire was not realised by the world until the consentient action 

 of the self-governing dominions in August, 1914, as well as of India 

 and the dependencies, revealed the vitality and spirit of this multi- 

 farious but integrated Commonwealth. Holland was amazed at the 

 action of South Africa, even the United States did not expect such 

 spontaneous and effective co-operation, and of course Germany, whose 

 public men had been comforting their people with assertions as to 

 the incoherence of their rival's vaunted empire, was chagrined. To 

 this day she cannot understand the intervention of Canadians, Aus- 

 tralians, and Boers in a struggle with which in her judgment they 

 should have had no essential concern. Probably she did not fear 

 the material aid which they might bring, for towards everything 

 Anglo-Saxon of military quality she was consistently contemptuous; 

 but the presence in Europe of these sons of hers overseas, and of 

 others of almost every race and religion, was an unwelcome proof 

 of a power which she had been unable or unwilling to detect, because 

 according to her own theory empire depended upon a rigid constitution 

 with a central autocratic government, whereas London could not by 

 order summon to her aid or control those far-off' dominions. So in the 

 first week of the war one of Germany's greatest delusions as to the 

 basis of world power was shattered. 



Even Britain herself was surprised. Ever since the war began 

 she has thankfully admitted that she built better than she knew, 

 and has been profoundly moved by the political and economic effi- 

 ciency of the Empire, as well as by the confidence in the Motherland 

 that has been manifested by each several portion. It is only partially 

 correct to say that Britain built better than she knew, for most of the 

 building was done by her sons who had left her shores on their own 



