Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 146, April 15, 1914 — John Shaqi
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 146, April 15, 1914Various
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 146, April 15, 1914
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
I do not wish to be misunderstood. I am a convinced supporter of a
Federal Solution and have for many years endeavoured to remove the
public apathy which I have found to exist in regard to this
profoundly interesting question. My suggestion is that, in order to
sift the matter thoroughly and, if possible, to strike out a new
path, we should put our existing constitution into the melting pot
and thus clear away the weeds which threaten to choke its fair
growth. Let Parliament be a movable institution, sitting for one
week in Australia, for one week in Canada, for one week in Ireland,
and so on. In the course of a year it will have sat in all the
component parts of the Empire, which will then, indeed, be an
Empire on which the sun never sets, and in which Parliament always
sits. It need not, of course, be the same Parliament in every case,
but can be varied, to suit local customs and prejudices. As a
symbol of unity His Majesty the King might be conveyed by a special
service of air-ships from one country to another, so that he might
always open every Parliament in person. England, Scotland, Ireland
and Wales would thus take their proper places in the Empire by the
side of Barbados, Canada and British Guiana, and there would be no
jealousy because all would be treated equally. Only in this way can
civil war be avoided and Ulster be satisfied.
Yours, etc.,
BENJAMIN WOOLLET,
Chairman of the Amalgamated League
for the Federation of the Empire.
III.
(_In answer to the two preceding letters._)
SIR,--Professor Woollet and Dr. Hornblower are both wrong. The only
way in which a Federal Solution, such as we all desire, can be
brought about is to convert the existing House of Lords--no change
being made in its constitution--into the supreme and only
legislative assembly of the whole Empire. The House of Commons, of
course, would cease to sit, or it might take the place of the
present London County Council. This is the true plan. All others
are absurd. It is useless for people to say they do not want this.
We insist on their having it.
Yours, etc.,
JONATHAN FIREDAMP,
President of Council of the
Federal Association.
* * * * *
A MYTH OF BOND STREET.
(_The latest thing in female head-wear is said to be the "Minerva"
Hat._)
Forgive me if my nerves were somewhat shaken;
Pardon me if my pulse went pit-a-pat
When I observed your tiny head had taken
To a "Minerva" hat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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