a

APPENDIX II.

(b) Independence, or political autonomy, will probably
 come first, and is perhaps in the distant future.
I do not think Mr. Chamberlain's scheme can do
much to avert the inevitable and natural course of
events.

(C1.)—No danger of annexation, but independence
is very likely to come. Chamberlain's proposals
would do more to unify the Empire than any other
scheme yet produced, and would make the people of
Canada as loyal to the Imperial policy as the natives
of Britain themselves,

(D.)—(a) Annexation by America? Not a particle.
(b) Independence? The independence of Canada
would be highly to the advantage of Canada and of
Great Britain,
The discussion of Mr. Chamberlain's scheme has
been accompanied by a distinct increase of the deeply
rooted Canadian tendency toward independence.
Every great discussion of fundamentals tends that
way—it loosens thought in Canada. The Confederation
 Act of 1867 meant, as Mr. Chamberlain himself
has said, separation. But Canadians do not desire
complete separation. Their complete independence
under the Crown of our fathers is achievable by so
simple a reform as abolishing the reference of Canadian
 affairs to the King of England in English council.
Were that abolished, and our king entitled King of
Canada and addressed directly by the Canadian
ministry, or one of them resident in London for short
terms, Canada would be an independent kingdom,
just as England would be or is.” Thus Canadians
could keep their precious traditions and their most
precious system of responsible government. The
effect would be a Peace League of the Empire, if all
colonies became similarly independent kingdoms, but
not a war league. Then the separate kingdoms under
the one Crown would aid one another in war or
abstain, just as they chose. This system might be
of great value. Sir Gavan Duffy long ago discussed