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THE DREAM OF A BRITISH ZOLLVEREIN. l
HE federation or closer political union of the
T British Empire is obviously so important that pro-
posals to stimulate or accelerate it by means of com-
mercial union appear specially attractive. They are
much in the air at the present time. I t is to be feared.
however. that public opinion to some extent is taking
a wrong direction, in which the end aimed at may be
missed and great mischief follow.
The expediency of political federation itself may be
assumed. I t does not receive quite the general assent
which it ought to command. There are not only" Little
Englanders" who would like to see the Empire broken
up; but not a few besides, whose love for the State and
regard for the Empire are beyond doubt, lament the tone
of Imperialistic feeling which prevails and the accom-
panying ideas of policy, as contrary to the traditional
feeling for liberty characteristic of our race and history.
These doubters dislike the new atmosphere, and are dis-
couraged by the burdens which Imperial policy seems
to entail as well as by the attacks on Free Trade and
other parts of the general policy of freedom in which
some of the most forward Imperialists love to indulge.
But while appreciating the state of mind of this minority
I cannot share their doubts. The necessity for Imperial
Federation is so great and overwhelming that all good
citizens should join in promoting it. The broad reasons
are the sentiment of national unity which makes a
British subject settred anywhere under the common flag
recrard his colony as one with the mothe~country; and
with this the instinct of self-preservation which makes it
1 From the co Nineteenth Century" of May, 1902.
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