376 THE BRITISH APPROACH TO POLITICS

general removal of trade restrictions, groups of nations were
attempting to increase, at least, the trade between themselves. The
British Commonwealth naturally formed such a group. Since,
however, Ottawa did involve higher tariffs against foreign goods,
the difficulty of restoring world trade as a whole, is increased.
This is important, because one serious check on the recovery of
the world since 1933 has been the failure of international trade
to expand adequately. There is the further danger that the trade
of the Colonies will come to be regulated too much in the interests
of the white peoples of the Commonwealth.

CONCLUSIONS.

When Commonwealth and Empire are considered together,
the whole structure is astounding, and compels admiration for
the statecraft of those who built it. The Dominion Constitutions
in particular illustrate a power of adapting past experience to
new conditions. Each of them bears a strong resemblance to that
of Britain—a responsible Executive, a wide franchise, a two-
chamber Legislature, a Cabinet linking Legislature and Executive.
But each also contains distinct features—Federalism, the
Referendum, joint sittings—ideas and devices alien to the Govern-
ment of Britain. Frequently a successful attempt has been made
to notice the real effect of the conventions of the British
Constitution, and embody it in the written law of the Dominions.
The idea that the British have a knack of muddling through
rather than a grasp of the principles of political science, does not
bear examination in the light of these facts.

One gigantic task remains; the extension of the idea of
Commonwealth to the whole Empire. Englishman, Canadian,
Australian, regard each other as fellow subjects and equals;
how long will it be before they regard all the peoples under the
British flag in the same light? Will British political talent be
equal to combining the best features of British Government with
institutions acceptable to Asiatics and Africans? If this task is
ever performed, there will emerge not merely an association of