IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 67, 18 March 1916, Page 9

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

DELEGATES FROM EMSIRE PARLIAMENTS. The members of tbe New Zealand sec | tion of the Empire Parliamentary Association will consider the invitation to a conference in London, but there seems .to be some doubt whether or not four New Zealand Parliamentarians will be able to visit London during July. The number of members who can afford the time and money for a journey to the United Kingdom at the present juncture is limited, and it may be regarded as certain, moreover, that the New Zealand •Parliament will be sitting in July.

Sir Joij»ph Ward, who is a member of the Association, and has taken aii active interest in its operations both here and in London, told a "New Zealand Times" representative that the organisation, which was created some years a°o -by a band of cuthueiaste in ttie Imperial Parliament, •had undoubtedly done useful work in bringing together members of the Parliaments of the Empire and providing opportunities for the discussion of topics of Imperial importance. He hoped that some members of tbe New Zealand Parliament would be able to attend the proposed conference. There were many matters that could be discussed profitably, in an informal way, by representatives of the Mother Country and of the great self-governing dominions at the present time.

The Empire Parliamentary Association is not an official organisation in any respecl, and the conference it hae suggested should not be confused with the Imperial Conference, -which the Imperial Government is expected to call before the close of the present year. The Association's conference will be attended by members of the various Parliaments within the Empire. The Imperial Conference will be a gathering of the ruling statesmen of the Empire.