All are
conscious of the complexity of the problem thus presented; and
no one need despair of a satisfactory solution, and no one can
doubt the profound influence which the tremendous events of
the past few months and of those in the immediate future must
exercise upon one of the most interesting and far-reaching
questions ever presented for the consideration of statesmen.
There Sir Robert was recommending no particular solution. A little
earlier in the same speech he illustrated the deep sense of all
experienced British statesmen that there never is or can be in the
British system any final solution of any grave problem, the vital
essence of the system being flux and change to suit ever-changing
circumstance.
In so far as this empire may be said to possess a
Constitution, it is of modern growth and is still in the stage
of development. One can hardly conceive that it will ever
distinctly emerge from that state or attain a status in
which constitutional development is no longer to be
anticipated. Indeed, the genius of the British people and all
our past history lead us to believe the contrary. The steps in
advance have been usually gradual and always practical; and
they have been taken on instinct rather than upon any
carefully considered theory.
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