Hofmeyr--who made a most remarkable
speech. He was sorry it was too long to read, but he would select a
portion of that very statesmanlike address. Referring to the fourth
and eighth subjects proposed for discussion--viz., the feasibility
of promoting a closer union between the various parts of the
British Empire by means of an Imperial tariff of Customs, to be
levied independently of the duties payable under existing tariffs
on goods entering the British Empire from abroad, the revenue
derived from such tariffs to be devoted to the general defence of
the Empire--he said: "I have taken this matter in hand with two
objects, to promote the union of the Empire, and at the same time
to obtain revenue for general defence. It would establish a
connecting link between the Colonies mutually, as well as between
the Colonies, and the Empire also, such as is not at present in
existence, and which might fuller develop, by-and-by, into a most
powerful bond of union." Again, speaking of how this was to be
effected, he said: "A body would be required with legislative, and,
to some extent, administrative powers; in other words, you would
have a limited fiscal Parliament by the side of the British
Parliament and the various Colonial Parliaments.
Pages:
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147