It's fiddling at a superstructure without a foundation.

What we want is the common interest.

Common interest, common taxation for defence, common representation, domestic management of domestic affairs, and you've got a working Empire." "Just as easy as slippin' off a log," remarked Horace Williams.
"Common interest, yes," said his father; "common taxation, no, for defence or any other purpose.

The colonies will never send money to be squandered by the London War Office.

We'll defend ourselves, as soon as we can manage it, and buy our own guns and our own cruisers.