The Dominions' Commission.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15860, 27 March 1917, Page 6

The Dominions' Commission.

The final report of tho Dominions' Royal Commission was largely anticipated in tho forecast upon which wc have already commented. Its recommendations are of a very practical character, and if tho bulk of them are carried into effect the appointment of the Commission will be amply justified, and its members will be able to congratulate themselves on having done some service to the Empire. We attack the utmost importance to the recommendation for the creation of a permanent Imperial Development Board, under tho direction of a permanent Imperial Conference, comprising twelve members intimately acquainted with the Empire, seven representing Britain, India, and the Crown Colonies and on© for eacti

of the five Dominions. Its headquarters aro to b 0 in London, but it ia to make frequent "Empire pcrogrina- " tions." The details as to the constitution of the Board may perhaps be improved—for example, in the direction of making it a smaller body—but we aro fully in accord with the idea that such a Board ought- to be constituted for the purposo of continuing the work begun by tho Dominions Commission. Eternal vigilance will be necessary if we are to hold our own in the groat trade war which will follow the present military conflict. Governments arc bo much occupied with local politics that it is impossible for them to exercise the continual supervision and watchfulness, or to display the enterprise and initiative which will oc required if we are to extend the trade of tho Empire, and utilise its resources to the best advantage. Needles s to say, wo cordially agree with the proposal for the acquisition of an Atlantic cable, and the immediate reduction of cable rates. These aro reforms which "The Press" has advocated for many years. Thero is also a great deal to be said for the nationalisation of private cablcs. which is one of the questions on which the war ha s thrown a new light. Other important matters are dealt with in the Commission's report, which we hope will receive the prompt and earnest attention of tho Governments concerned. It would be a crime against the Empire if the report were to suffer the fate of too many of such documents by being pigeonholed and forgotten.