An Imperial Council.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17610, 13 November 1922, Page 6

An Imperial Council.

In his remarks to a gathering of business men at New Plymouth on Friday, Mr Massey spared a few minutes from the discussion of Dominion politics to the consideration of a larger subject—the relationship of the various oversea Dominions with the Mother Country and with each other. There is, of course, nothing new in the idea of Imperial federation; it had become a question of living interest long before Mr Massey entered politics, and it has always remained in men's minds as a development of our life as a people ivhich was greatly to be desired, but which could only be shaped into being by the process of time and the pressure of events. Some form of federation would have been brought about before now, if agreement could have been reached as to the precise form to be adopted, and also if circumstances had made a decision on the question a matter of immediate urgency. The main requisite is the discovery of some scheme by wliich, when necessity arises, the whole Empire may take united action, or at least speak with one voice, while at the same time the constituent portions each retain their independence in regard to questions of local concern. Mr Massey was quite right in expressing the opinion that the creation of an Imperial Parliament would not meet the needs of the situation, as the Dominions liked to control their own affairs and would not care to receive instructions from a Parliament Bitting in London. It has often been claimed since the war did so much to bring all parts of the Empire together, that the connexion between Great Britain and the Dominions has undergone a change; that the latter are no longer only the children of the Mother Country, but her partners. If that is to be taken to mean that the Empire is to be managed as one great concern and that each portion has as, much authority in the management as any other, we think the claim is untenable, at least for the present.' Yet something more is needed than the existing loose arrangement, by which at intervals an Imperial Conference is held in London at which the representatives of Great Britain and the Dominions discuss matters of mutual interest. Mr Massoy favours the creation of an Imperial Council whioh would sit periodically, and in that direction lies, we think, the solution of tEe problem. Such a Council should meet annually, and, if possible, not always in London, though the difficulties in the way of British Ministers being absent from Home for several months might prove an insuperable obstacle to its meeting in Australia or New Zealand. Such a Council would not merely discuss current questions, but would consult on matters of Imperial policy affecting the Dominions, and, though it could not decide definitely on any of these the course to be followed, the deliberations would afford those present some approved' plan to lay before their respective Parliaments when occasion demanded that that particular question should be dealt with. The Council would be a permanent institution and' between the yearly > meetings the various High Commissioners might act as representatives of' their governments, until such time as each of the Dominions deemed it desirable to appoint, by vote of Parliament or choice of the Cabinet, some capable Minister to go Home and act as its special representative. An Empire so widely scattered as is the British Empire, and touching its competitors and rivals.at so many points, cannot continue to function in the casual haphazard way that has characterised it up to the present; it must organise itself if it is to reap the full benefit of its strength and importance.