As a politician Smith was doubtless attracted by the prospect of introducing a strong democratic and republican strain into parliament, though he pretends to think that the balance of the constitution would not be affected. He points out also that the constitution would be completed by such a union, and was imperfect without it, for “the assembly which deliberates and decides concerning the affairs of every part of the empire, in order to be properly informed, ought certainly to have representatives from every part of it.”[32] In the last chapter of the _Wealth of Nations_ he describes the project as at worst “a new Utopia, less amusing, certainly, but no more useless and chimerical than the old one,” and shows how the British system of taxation might be extended along with representation in parliament to the colonies in such a way as to produce a great addition to the imperial revenue and a large permanent surplus for the redemption of debt. In this way the debt could be discharged in a comparatively short period, and as revenue would be continually released, the most oppressive taxes could be gradually reduced and remitted. By this prescription “the at present debilitated and languishing vigour of the empire” might be completely restored. Labourers would soon be enabled to live better, to work cheaper, and to send their goods cheaper to market. Cheapness would increase demand, and the increased demand for goods would mean an increased demand for the labour of those who produced them. This again would tend both to raise the numbers and improve the circumstances of the labouring poor. Lastly, as the consuming power of the community grew, there would be a growth in the revenue from all those articles of consumption which remained subject to taxation. The plan of an imperial parliament and imperial taxation could not be realised. Smith himself saw that the economic and constitutional objections were great, though “not unsurmountable.” Upon one point, however, he was clear. If it were impracticable to extend the area of taxation, recourse must be had to a reduction of expenditure; and the most proper means of retrenchment would be to put a stop to all military outlay in and on the colonies. If no revenue could be drawn from the colonies, the peace establishments “ought certainly to be saved altogether.” Yet the peace establishments were insignificant compared with what wars for the defence of the colonies had cost. But for colonial wars the national debt would have been paid off. It was urged that the colonies were provinces of the British Empire:—