lievifui of Hevificf, i'tj .I'J-j 



History of the Month. 



3^9 



Another residence puslieil off ita foundations and partially demolislied. 



NORTH SYDNEY ON MARCH 27, J 906. 



of this, too, is that it was attempted in confidential 

 despatches. As one puts it, the late Government 

 seemed so determined to exp'and the Empire in ac- 

 cordance with its Imperialistic ideas that Australia 

 was expected to play second fiddle. It is just an 

 illustration of the ineptitude the Imjjerial Govern- 

 ment has sometimes displayed towards the Colonies. 

 If there is one thing that the British Government 

 ought to understand by this time, it is that the Colo- 

 nies, while anxious to be loyal to the Empire, are 

 determined to manage their own domestic affairs. 

 The method of attempting to influence Governments 

 confidentially is bad, and is calculated to open the 

 door for corruption. If there be any reason why 

 legislation of any particular kind should not be car- 

 ried through, the public ought to be apprised of it. 

 It is easy to imagine that a supine Government, flat- 

 tered by confidential despatches, would quietly drop 

 necessary legislation, or permit of its veto. The 

 failure of the British Government to sometimes ap- 

 preciate Colonial conditions has led to something 

 very like crises in the past. May the present one 

 recognise them as deserving the courtesy due to a 

 people of adult age and ripe experience. 



The visit of the British Labour 

 EflQlish Labour Members to Australia will doubtless 

 Proflcrcd Visit. ^ Productive of a great deal of in- 



terest. It is exciting very much 

 curiosity. There is a curious kind of impression 

 abroad amongst Labour men here that the English- 

 men are coming out to try to teach them. This is 

 not a superficial feeling, but a very real and deep- 

 seated one, and may lead to some critical positions 

 unless the English visitors exercise a good deal of 

 tact. The Englishman who comes to the Colonies 

 with a superior kind of knowledge is so common a 

 variety that the Labour men can perhaps be par- 

 doned for their inability to divest themselves of this 

 feeling, even when their own kind is concerned. It 

 is one of those half -comical, half -serious views which 

 one nationality som.etimes takes of another, but 

 which is nevertheless a very real factor in determin- 

 ing its attitude. It is certain that if any dictation 

 as to what local members should do be attempted, it 

 will, if one can judge of local feelings at all, meet 

 with a very decided opposition. But there the feel- 

 ing is. However, from a letter received by '' Senator 

 J. C. Watson, of the House of Representatives," 

 from Mr. J. Ramsay McDonald, Secretary of the 

 LaKiur Representative Committee in London, if 



