CONTENTS xxi 
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faire in commerce, combined with a belief that the colonies were an expense 
to the mother country and that they would gain by independence, rendered 
the English public indifferent to the retention of the colonies; while the 
colonists were irritated by occasional interference on behalf of native races in 
South Africa, and of negroes in the West Indies, where the long protected 
sugar industry has suffered severely. Protection was also withdrawn from 
Canadian lumber in accordance with Free Trade doctrine. Emigration was 
encouraged by Lord Selkirk and the Canada Company, and the advantages 
of systematic colonisation, as a means of relieving England of redundant 
population and a plethora of capital, were expounded by Wakefield, whose 
views were partly adopted in the development of Australia and New Zealand. 
He helped to create a new enthusiasm at home for colonial empire, while 
steps were taken, both in Canada and New Zealand, to introduce responsible 
government and thus plant English institutions and strengthen English 
influence througho® the world, v + « 880 
POSTSCRIPT. 
2831. laissez Faire in Commerce. The treatment of the recent economic 
history of England presents unusual difficulties, especially in view of the 
development of political life throughout the British Empire. Laissez faire 
in commerce was long ago accepted as an ideal by individuals, both in 
England and America, and roused the enthusiasm of the opponents of 
the Corn Laws, but their expectations as to the action of other nations 
have not been fulfilled. It may be wise to abandon commercial laissez faire 
for the sake of securing our food supply, and obtaining an open door for our 
manufactures. This would harmonise with traditional Whig views of the 
benefit of commerce in stimulating industry and with the Tory tradition as 
to distributing the burden of taxation. . . . . . . 865 
282. Analogy with the Elizabethan Age. Recent history presents 
a.parallel with that of the sixteenth century, in the substitution of a new 
basis for economic organisation ; in the effects of the discoveries of gold and 
silver on prices and on the relative value of the precious metals; in the 
facilities for the formation of capital ; in the building up of great fortunes, 
and in changes in business organisation, which have been facilitated by the 
telegraph system, o ” . * . . . . . 871 
283. The Physical Conditions of Welfare. Whereas Elizabethan 
statesmen aimed at promoting national Power and the means of attaining 
it, nineteenth century public opinion is concentrated on the Welfare of 
the masses, and the conditions for realising it. This affords excuse ior 
exclusive attention to the interests of labour in England and her colonies § 
while the policy of other countries is more concerned with national Power, 
or the interests of Capital. The influence of labour is shown in the respective 
policies of England and her colonies, and in the development of Trade 
Unions, Friendly and Co-operative Societies. # . . . 876 
284. The English Conception of Weliare. The English conception of 
Welfare is distinct from that of other peoples, and includes a deep respect 
for historical tradition and an abandonment of any desire to assimilate 
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