A BOMBSHELL.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18680, 1 May 1926, Page 15

A BOMBSHELL.

CANADA AND EMPIRE. FULL NATIONHOOD. ANTICIPATED CLAIM. <>T tiBLK— JRRSS ASSOCIATION— COrYSIfiHT.) (Sn>sir "Sns" Skbvici.) LONDON. April 29. Information from the highest authority indicates thiA the attitude of certain Dominions at.tho Imperial Conference. regarding the Empire's constitution may prove a bombshell., K is anticipated that Canada is litelv to disclose a-desire for larger automony. and will'tell rlic Conference tliat the limo is ripo for independent Canadian nationhood, ami that she is not prepared to eonipromiso thereon. Canada's attitude may bo summed up as:—"Great Britain's entrance into a European war would not be our business, and we would refuse to recognise that Canada, even technically, was atwar."

This is interpreted to mean that Canada will not accept nationhood within the Empire. It is unlikely that Great Britain and the other Dominions will attempt to influence Canada, because they do not desire to bully anybody. Canadian circles in London declare that they are unaware that Canada is adopting such an attitude, and are disinclined to beliyve that she would suggest a breakaway. • Political circles are also devoting attention to" rumours concerning what are described as tho autonomy bloc in which it is reported Canada, South Africa, and the Irish, Free State are combining to demand a freer hand. It is even suggested that tho first two have secretly agreed to combine, hoping for the support of Mr AV. T. Cosgrave, President of tho Irish Free State Council, thereby overriding Australia and New Zealand. This move, however, .at present is not causing, concern, because it is believed General' Herteog's. outburst merely aims at excusing himself to his for - attendance at the Imperial Conference. Whatever .happens, it is expected the Conference will be the scene of a heated, probably dramatic, • discussion of constitutional relations, which are recognised throughout; the'. Empire as ambiguous.