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THE RELATIVE GROWTH OF THE EMPIRE 233
Empire. Whether we look at the varying develop.
ments in the purely English parts of the Empire, the
magnitude of the growth at home, the increase at a
greater rate in British North America, or the increase
at a greater rate still in Australasia; or at such a phe.
nomenon as the rapid development of South Africa
where the white races are actual colonists in association
with the subject races; or at the vast growth of India;
or at the beginning of a "new Empire in Africa; or at
the special incidents not so favourable which are hap-
pening to our older possessions in the West Indies; to
which we may add the latest development of all in the
Klondike, of which we had so striking an account from
Miss Shaw a fortnight ago, but which is so nevi a de-
velopment that the figures for British North America
are not yet affected as those of South Africa have been
-we find ourselves in possession of an Empire in which
a great deal is happening, and with which the fortunes
of the human race itself are very largely concerned. In
whatever way such an Empire has come to exist, the
influence it must have on the various peoples, and
especially on those who have anything to do with the
government or with the administration of large affairs
must be enormous; and on the whole. we must assume.
beneficial, clearing the mind of prejudices and narrow
bias of every sort. and proving to all how much such
an Empire must be self-developing because no single
mind could pretend to mould so vast an organism. It
is an education of itself to belong to such an Empire.
and to help. in however small a degree, in carrying out
the common work. .

One or two special questions cannot but be suggested.
The first of aU is involved in the division between the
English parts of the Empire and the states of subject
race on which I have insisted. Is the central force of
the Empire. the power to hold it together. increasing
as rapidly as the Empire generally? The question of
force is unavoidable in dealing with such a problem.