Obstacles
One of the main obstacles to the scheme was what one of its proponents, Richard Jebb, called colonial nationalism. The granting of authority to a super-parliament composed of many competing interests was seen by opponents as a compromise to the powers of the local parliaments. Leading colonial supporters of imperial federation, such as Australian prime minister Alfred Deakin, however saw the movement as a way to increase the influence of the dominions over imperial defence and foreign policy. The colonial branches of the Imperial Federation League in fact outlived the demise of the home branch in London, which collapsed in 1896 when it failed to resolve internal disputes over imperial trade policy.
Read more about this topic: Imperial Federation
Famous quotes containing the word obstacles:
“Weakness is a better teacher than strength. Weakness must learn to understand the obstacles that strength brushes aside.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“It still holds true that man is most uniquely human when he turns obstacles into opportunities.”
—Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)
“... there are persons who seem to have overcome obstacles and by character and perseverance to have risen to the top. But we have no record of the numbers of able persons who fall by the wayside, persons who, with enough encouragement and opportunity, might make great contributions.”
—Mary Barnett Gilson (1877–?)