IMPERIAL POLICY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10179, 9 August 1924, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLICY.

CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER.

POSITION OF THE OPPOSITION.

CANADIAN PREMIER’S VIEW. (Per Press Association —Copyright.) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) f OTTAWA, August 7. i The Government to-night advised the i Colonial Secretary (Mr J. H. Thomas) . that Canada stands ready to appoint delegates to a conference in London - next .fall to find a basis for future discussions on the foreign policy of the Empire. The Premier, Mr McKenzie King, said that if the conference was held, Senator Dandurand, the Government leader in the Senate, and the Minister for Defence, the Hon. Mr MacDonald, will probably represent Cauada. Both null be in Europe-in September to. attend the League of Nations Council. In answering a question as to whether he favoured sending leaders of the Opposition to the Empire conferences, 31 r King 'stated that Canada reserved the right to appoint its delegates. The conference under discussion was a preliminary one, not demanding the attendance of Government leaders. His general attitude to the question was , that since the Government must be responsible for the policy adopted, and the Leader of the Opposition must perforce reserve the right to criticise such , policy, there would be no useful pur- , pose served by the attendance of . leaders of the Opposition at the forma) Empire conferences. Mr King said that in a communication Britain had sent to the Dominions it was not thought advisable to revive the idea of the constitutional conference', or to call a special meeting of the Imperial Conference. The purpose expressed was solely to consider the difficulties met with in consultations and negotiations on questions of foreign policy, and presenting a report as to the basis for further discussion. ,