JOHN BULL AND CO.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 69, 21 March 1916, Page 5

JOHN BULL AND CO.

WHAT WIUi THE "CO." DO? A DELICATE PROBLEM. LONDON, March 20. The '"Manchester : Guardian" says: 4i The problem of the future is in what way rain political union be made more definite without undoing the growth of sentiment, which is worth more than the most perfect political institutions. There must be some definite expression of unity. It would seem clear that the Dominions, in return for the help they have so willingly given and are jnrinjr, expect to be in "some manner consulted upon the principles that shape the Empire's foreign policy. When peace, comes there will be a demand for closer intercourse between the leaders of- foreign policy and the House of Commons. Whatever "share of control the country thus demands, in the same way may reasonably be expected by the Dominions. One of the most difficult problems of the future will be thinking out an organ of government, which, while leaving internal matters to the control of each part of the Empire, will bring foreign policy and defence under the guidance of some common council chosen by those responsible in all parts of the Empire. That internal autonomy must extend to the Mother Country as well as to the Dominions." IMPERIAL CONSTITUTION. STILL IN THE FUTURE. LONDON, March 20. Mr Sidney James Low (lecturer"on Imperial and Colonial History at King's College, University of London) approves of the suggestion that the Dominions should be given representation in the British Cabinet. He declares it is impossible to devise a complete Imperial Constitution organised on a representative Parliamentary basis to inect emergencies at present or in the immediate future. It must be preceded by an Imperial convention - for deliberations -and the Cabinet had largely superseded the United Kingdom Parliament, and become a Consultative Council of State, representing all parties. Mr Low believes that this.is a transitional stage towards a true Empire ■ Constitution. The Cabinet ought to strengthen its Imperial character,, and I give the'overseas communities-- an -effective slutre' in military policy. and_.international relations, inviting, each' Dominion to send a Minister, with or without a portfolio. - -_-..- ! ; -■ ;. rt