A N.Z. LUNCHEON.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18135, 26 July 1924, Page 14

A N.Z. LUNCHEON.

IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY HIGH COMMISSIONER. PRESS PROPRIETORS ENTERTAINED. (TEOH OTJB OWK COEBESPOHDEKT.) LONDON, June 11. Sir James Allen entertained somo iwenty-five London Press proprietors or their representatives to luncheon at the New Zealand Pavilion at Wembley to-day. The object, as the High Commissioner explained, was mainly ft social one, and the Puke of Northumberland (one of the new proprietors of the "Morning Post"), who was a guest, very tactfully acknowledged this element of the entertainment. In proposing the toast of his host, he said that if New Zealand was adequately represented by the excellent luncheon, it must have attained a high standard of excellency in the things it produces. The High Commissioner, however, had an important statement to make, although he revised that the staffs of *he newspapers were not present. His object was to interest proprietors in 6©veral subjects which were of an Imperial and non-party character and which were of gmve consequence to the Dominions. London newspapers represented wero the "Financial Netvs," "Daily Chronicle," ''Westminster Gazette," "Daily Express," Press Association of London, "Empire Mail," Reuters, "Daily Mirror," "Daily Herald," <ind the "Morning Post." , . Amongst the apologies received for non-attendance was one from Mr -George Lansbury, the Labour member, and one of the proprietors of tho "Daily Herald." "I regret," he telegraphed, "that I am unable to attend. 1 wish Godspeed to New Zealand. May peace be within and without her borders, and may the British Empire soon become a, British Commonwealth of free nations united together to lead the ■whole world in the path of progress and peaceful development." , . Lord Riddell also regretted his inability to be present, and so did the editor of the "Daily Telegraph."

Preference and the Singapore Base. Sir James -Allen indicated that the object of .the luncheon was merely to get into touch with the London Press. "Wo wanted to meet you round this 'table and get into touch with you and to feel something of your feelings, and I hope that you may feel something of jours." * His guests, he said, represented frrery political pcirty, and it was not Tor turn to discuss any party matters. Still, he wanted them to know what ' "was the opinion of Near Zealand concerning various questions which he considered were beyond and above - party politics. Last year two Imperial Conferences were held, ■ one dealing with "Empire problems, such as Foreign Policy and Defence, and the other with rSconomic questions —of trade, preferand' exchange. This year, with a vshange.of Government" in this ooun- £ try, several of the recommendations of both conferences were not to be recommended to Parliament by the Gov-,., eminent of- ihie day, and were therefore -doubtful of acceptance. The question ■naturally arose, "Of what value were Imperial Conferences as at present con- ' Btitutedt ,, "It is not my intention to deal with - the resolutions," Sir James continued, " "except to aay with respect to 'preference' that there i 9 general disappoint- - ment in the Dominions and! Colonies, ind as to Singapore, both in Australia 'and New Zealand, gniv© unrest exists ai the abandonment of the defence of a"~base which we look upon as a means of protecting our countries and trade routes in case of attack; , I do desire, however, to make short reference to the resolutions on 'Negotiations, Signature, and Ratifying the Treaty.' Some Treaties, e.g., The Halibut Treaty,' may be covered by the resolutions. As to others, of which LauV sanne may be taken as a type, the resolutions leave as in the dark aa to ; Individual obligations, and the correspondence between the United Kingdom and Ginada has not done much .to lighten, our darkness. Summing up . .the correspondence and the discussions,. It appears Canada refused .to ratify because she was not represented at Lausanne.. The Prime Minister, in ■ debate in Parliament last Friday, in reply to a question as to whether Can-' ;ada was undertaking the obligations of ~the Treaty replied, They are ratifying.' It appears to me this statement is open '.to doubt. Nor isf the doubt cleared up "by. Mr Mackensie King's latest pro,n ounoement as reported in the papers last evening and this morning. He is .. reported to have said" 'Legally and technically; Canada will tie .bound by %he ratification' of the Treaty . . . but <w respects the obligations arising out of the Treaty itself; this ment . . . will in no way be bound ny any obligation beyond that which Parliament of its own volition recog-,-niscs as arising out o£ the situation.'

Unit^lmperialPollcy. ' : "I will not Attempt "to interpret the resolutions, your Prime Minister's statment, - or Mr Mackenzie King's < latest pronouncement. There was, however, one remark made by your PraQe a &izuster :with which.most of us willio|p«e;> , Hesaid: 1 think the tune ha&;come;wheh,we have to in circumstances, what machinery required tohe created for oooduct .of Xliiited Policy], - «a ' regards. Foreign affmttL-; 3t to,know that the/Government has the problem under, consideration, and that an announce*-. ment r vrill ; ■be made to Parliament. - hieronjbut meanwhile I ' suggest mueb; can? be done by the distinguished guests-present here to-day to educate the '-public N mind through the -medium of your-' pdpers, which represents Laband liberal ideals. . fun. examining the problem c .the question v-will arise: Why -have "the not achieved all that was expected of th.em? Recent, experiences provide the answer, name-ly,-that some of the countries which go to make up the Empire, have had at the; Conferences as their representative, a member of the Government in • time, the existence of which might be short-lived. Is it % iwt possible to remove this defect in ■ r*® constitution of -tiio Imperial Conference, especiallyon questions of foreign policy and defence (which ■eemto me inseparable) by such action as shall secure that the Prime Minister, and any one who accompanies him shall represent the Parliament and people as a whole? Under the stress of war,. surely the representatives in : the War Cabinet did speak for their . peoples.and there eeema no reason why, after discussion in Parliament or amplest the; Leaders of Parties, the representatives at Imperial Conferences should not be placed in an ; eqtttlly strong position. Could this - he achieved, we should have assurance that the Conference derisions would not- lie challenged if a change of Gov* ernment did take plaoe. Conferences, however, can meet only at intervals. : V Further machinery is required to keep

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in touch with United Kingdom Ministers who represent the partners and who; through their' Diplomatic Services; Stave knowledge of events happening throughout the world. Correspondence has not proved an adequate means to meet this, need. The alternative seems to be Dominion representation in" London, and for this two suggestions have been made, one, that a Dominion Minister should be resident •in . London; • the ■ other that the High Commissioner should act. To duplicate Dominion representation in. London seems unnecessary; Tind there are objections •to a Minister, one being that his appointment would probably be unacceptable to members of ■ Parliament other , than those of the Government Party. • ''ln my judgment, it would oe better -to appoints tire JHigli Commissioner, who should be the best man possible, selected because of. his, experience, his knowledge of his country and its people, and broadminded enough to put aside whatever- party' politics he | possessed. Whoever may be. appointed, the dutaOT devolving upon fiim would be to. recoive information from,, and give information' to the. Prime Minister or the Foreign Office •' to make sure that no delay took place in transmitting information-. and advice to his i Government. The growth of the Doin the future may necessitate important changes in Empire organisation. Meanwhile, with Conferences as often as possible, and liaison as suggested in .the intervals, there sterns no other course ,to follow than for the British -, Government to act: after .consultation :and when 'quick decisions' are essential and there is for consultation to take/the responsibility for action.",: t

All, Imperialists. . .The Duke of Northumberland expressed' the! appreciation/ of the guests for the hospitality' thfcy had received, and for the very frank, eloquent, and able upeech madfcby Sir James Allen. "I do not think," he said, "I* ought to have been asked to speak on behalf of • the Press,, aa my association with- it is of very recent origin. As a journalist I am only an amateur. In fact, it seems rather .foolish to be associated with newspapers at all I" (Laughter.} Although they represented every form of political opinion, they were all Imperialists, and if any proof of this vere required he could merely say that he, a. reactionary, agreed with every word of the telegram sent by Mr Lansbury. From this he thought Sir James Allen would realise that in regard to the British Empire - they were not Labour; not Liberal, nor Conservative. They were all one in their desire that this." oonntry-and* fhe . Dominions should draw closer and closer ©very day. They wanted everything done ; Wnioh could be done for the prosperity of the trade' between tbia country : and the Dominions. Whatever opinions ~ they held, they would consiaer very carefully what Sir James Allen had said; and they would do their best to foster the ideals be had expressed. After the luncheon a. number of the goestS accepted an invitation to the Cinematograph Hall, where they saw several of thevNew Zealand scenic films.