King Edward gave it his hearty encouragement, and it is celebrated throughout the British Isles and the self-governing colonies of the Imperial Federation.
The first effect was the gradual withdrawing of imperial troops from the self-governing colonies, together with the encouragement of the development of local military systems by the loan, when desired, of imperial military experts.
Moreover, that policy is approved by all the great self-governing colonies of the Empire, except this one, and in this one by something like half the white population, and practically the whole of the native.
Here also, as fully as in the self-governing colonies, membership of the British Empire did not mean subjection to the selfish dominion of a master, or the subordination to that master's interests of the vital interests of the community.
In the fullest sense, however, this new conception of empire applied only to the group of the great self-governing colonies.
Whatever the rest of the world might say, the great self-governing colonies, which were free to help or not as they thought fit, had no doubts at all.
Therefore no sane Englishman, politician or publicist can ever contemplate seriously the possibility of a self-governing India, like the self-governing colonies, forming a vital and organic part of the British Empire.
In Natal and Cape Colony we possess two specimens of ordinary self-governing colonies.
It is well to remember that while the land is a Crown colony it is one only in name, and that all the tact and discretion which we use in dealing with self-governing colonies should be used in this case also.
The head of a federation is already at hand in the High Commissioner, in whom is vested the government of all South Africa apart from the self-governing colonies.
The first principle which governs the relation of Britain to her self-governing colonies is that she must do all she can to keep them contented and loyal.
Now let us note the chief points in which the circumstances of Cape Colony and of Natal (for in these respects both Colonies are alike) differ from those of the other self-governing Colonies of Britain.
There would be no Empire to idealize if their Irish principles had been applied just a little longer to any of the oversea States which constitute the self-governing Colonies of to-day.
With certain qualifications, introduced to mitigate the glaring anomaly of the situation, the great self-governing colonies of the Empire are in fact now compelled to allow many of their most important affairs to be managed by others.
The value of autonomous government is generally appreciated; but the free gift of land made by the Imperial authority to the various self-governing colonies has no parallel in human history.
Why, it may be argued, should not the same liberties belong to Ireland, for centuries the peccant part of these kingdoms; would not the concession make her as loyal as most of our self-governing colonies?
The answer is short, but amply sufficient; the circumstances of our self-governing colonies and of Ireland are altogether different.
Ireland, it has been urged, would obtain Home Rule, if she were assimilated to one of our self-governing colonies.
Let the self-governing Colonies, and British India, send deputies to the Imperial or Federal Parliament.
This is a very different thing from the shadowy sovereignty which the English Parliament retains, but abstains from exercising, in our self-governing colonies.
Broadly speaking, it may be submitted with regard to our self-governing colonies that we are bound in honour to keep them as long as they will stay, and in conscience not to detain them when they are able and willing to go.
And the relation of parent to child has a true likeness to that of England to her self-governing colonies.
The above list will hopefully provide you with a few useful examples demonstrating the appropriate usage of "governing colonies" in a variety of sentences. We hope that you will now be able to make sentences using this group of words.
