IMPERIAL WAR CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 150, 25 June 1918, Page 4

IMPERIAL WAR CONFERENCE.

CARE OF SOLDIERS' GRAVES, AFTER- EMIGRATION". (By Telegraph.— Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. • A telegraphic summary of the proceedings of the Imperial War Confer* enee, Bent to his Excellency the Gover-nor-General by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, reads as follows:— The Imperial War Conference held dts first meeting on fee 32th June, under the chairmanship of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The Secretaries for Foreign Affairs and India were also* present, with representatives of Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and Newfoundland. The chairman, in his opening address, described briefly 'important work denfe on resolutions "passed by last ye&r'S conference this year, particularly in the economic sphere. The representatives of the oversea Dominions and the Secretary of State for India replied, emphasising, in particular, the resourcefulness of the British Navy in s-ccuring the attendance of representatives from all parts of the world without a hitch and in security. A loyal resolution was passed to His Majesty, and much emphasis was laid on the devotion and unremitting work of the Royal Family during the strain of war. i The Secretary of State- for Fortign Affairs also addressed the conference. He emphasised the unique spectacle presented to the world by the Self-govern-ing parte of the British Empire standing together and successfully co-operating in spite of the immense strain of four years of war. and laid special stress ore the immense possibilities arising through the entry of the United States into the war for the promotion of the future happiness and freedom of mankind, I .A second meeting was -held on the 117 th June, at which delegates front 'Australia and India were also present, thus making the conference completely, •representative for the first time of aH parts of the Empire. i A message was read from His Majesty, 'in reply to the loyal resolution, after ! which the conference pr#eeded to deal ' with the work of the Imperial Waif : Graves Commission. This Commission I was established under the presidency 'of the Prince of Wales, as. the result of a resolution passed "by the' conference last year. Much emphasis was laid bj Dominion representatives on' the seed for all possible pressure on Turkey te safeguard the graves at Gaflipoli, and great interest -was shown on the question of headstones and badges for graves of Dominion troops.. Strong feeling was I also expressed in favour, of the decision lof the Commission to give a, common form of memorial for all ranks. A resolution was passed commending the lab« ours of the Commission since its establishment, and in favour of the cost of carrying out its decisions being borne by the respective Governments of the Empire in proportion to the number* of graves of their dead. This cost fe estimated, according to the information at present avai]able,~at a-n. average, of £10 per officer. , or=manc.>burie,d;. T.-Tb? cost of erecting memorials to those whose graves are not identified have' not yet been estimated; but it is thought likely to 'be considerably less in proportion. .<§ The conference next, discussed the question of the establishment of a central authority in the United Kingdom, to supervise emigration of ex-service men and others after the war. . . The Under Secretary of State for the' Colonies explained the provisions of, the ' Emigration Bill, now before the Imperial Parliament, and discussion ensued.. The question chiefly arising ■was whether representatives of oversee. Dominions in the United Kingdom should be associated with the executive work of the new body proposed Tinder the bill, or should assist in an advisory capacity. Discussion was not completed, and was adjourned. The third meeting was held on the 19th June. At this various phases of Imperial economic policy after the war were raised, and proceedings were necessarily of a confidential character. Nei conclusion was reached, and discussion will be continued at subsequent J&ect* ings. '