ABSTRACT
The proceedings of successive colonial Conferences served to show the divergence of views in Great Britain and the Dominions on the manner in which the interests of imperial unity could best be promoted. To British Ministers the question of defence has always seemed of paramount importance; and the question of improving imperial organization has been mainly considered from this point of view. Mr. Chamberlain himself was only led to enter upon his crusade for Tariff Reform when he had come to recognize that only by trade considerations could the Dominions be induced to draw closer the links of imperial union. The true policy was to give to Great Britain this preference freely and openly, leaving the imperial Government and Parliament to adopt that trade policy which in their judgement was best adapted to the interests of the English people. It is idle to suppose that, Great Britain can prevent any Dominion from acting as seems best for itself.
