THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18926, 15 February 1927, Page 8

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

IMPORTANT RESULTS. INTERVIEW WITH MR COATES. [THE PRBSB Sp«eUl Mrriee.] WELLINGTON. February 14. The principal matters in which he feels that work of real and lasting valuo was accomplished at the Imperial Conference were reviewed by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) in the course of an interview upon his arriral by the Malcura this morning.

"As my first official act on returning to New Zealand," said Mr Coates, in an interview or. his arrival, "1 want to express my satisfaction with the results of the Imperial Qonfensnoe that has just concluded,. The importance of these gatherings cannot, I think, be overestimated. They are indeed the most effective means of co-ordinating and assimilating the activities; of those widely separated countries that go to form the Empire, an Empire bound together by the connecting link of his Majesty the King, and by common systems of Parliamentary institutions and of law and justice, it is unfortunate that considerations of time and space present grave difficulties to the holding of these conferences at even more frequent intervals, and I am strongly impressed with the necessity for evolving the closest and most efficient means or communication and consultation in order that the affairs of the Empire may be seen as a whole in each of its constituent countries.

Misunderstanding. Eliminated.

"I desire to express definitely my opinion that the conference of 1926 was eminently successful. I do affirm that the conference has resulted in an entire elimination of misunderstandings, and in the creation of a feeling of the utmost goodwill in all parts of the Empire, a goodwill that has given rise to a determination in all quarters to maintain intact at the present, and to increase in strength as the years go by, the ties of loyalty to a common throne and common institutions that bind tof ether our various peoples aa one. And ere may I say that this goodwill was in my opinion the outstanding feature of the conference. It would not be possible to gather together a group of mon more firmly determined to find a common solution of all questions, more ready to abandon individual interests for the common weal, more tolerant or more understanding of divergent points of view. , , , , . "I wish to aay that in my opinion the difficulties confronting the conference were by no means so great or so grave as previous discussions in the Press and elsewhere would lead one to believe, and from the first moment of. the codforenoe it was clear to every representative present that the spins of goodwill would triumph completely over any practical difficulties Jmat. might arise for consideration. this confidence was vindicated by *B« result, and that the conference concluded with a complete understanding on all points is, I think, a striking tribute to the genius for swf-govern-ment of the British people, and plete justification of the broad principles of liberi* and autonomy/own which the Empire is based. My dominant feelings are pride stitutions, satisfaction that the wore of the conference has been irpocV and confidence that the Empire will endure.

Inter-Imperial Relations. "Perhaps thd most important feature of the conference, and certaonly ttat which will have the greatest and most beneficial effect in the future, wasi the. work of the Inter-Imperial Bdafcons Committee, which was presided over by Lord Balfour. By virtue of mutual understanding, dear thinking, and careful expression, it has been possible to give to the British peoples and to the world a definite and explicit statement of the trie rebtmnship, of the component parts of the British Empire, a statement that allows little room for misunderstanding, and contains no possible germ or discontent. As elways, anything in the nature of - a written or fixed constitution has bees carefully avoided., No rigid.structure can make sufficient allowance for the inevitable play of part on part, for the continual and almost imperceptible adjustment that our organisation requires. The general nature of bar association, the entire absence Of any domination by one part over any other, the dependence upon goodwill upon pride, and upon tie widest freedom, rather than upon law or force, have, however, been stated in the clearest and most explicit terms. Within the structure thus set out there 11 ample opportunity for each portion of thej'Empire to proceed along its own patn, and to make its own future without interference or molestation from any other part,' but with a full realisation of the necessity for constant communication and consultation, in order that each may understand the other. Combined with this freedom, however, and as a necessary corollary to it, is a full understanding of the fact that the best interests of each portion of the Empire He in its preservation intact, and a firm determination to do all that men can do to this end for the peace and prosperity of us all.

Brighter Prospecte.

"We must endeavour to consolidate by wise legislation, by mutual trad<«, and by close intercourse, the ground that has already been gained. In this connexion it is a great pleasure to be able to say that the economic prospects appear to be much brighter. The existence of a healthy optimism is most noticeable in Great Britain, and in my opinion the future may be regarded without misgivings. "On the subject of defence the freeest and most valuable consultation took place, resulting, I believe, in a full understanding, and in the possibility of increased co-operation in the future. Foreign affairs were deult with in a most informative address by Sir Austen Chamberlain, and a long and valuable discussion made it cleiir that in all essential points the Empire had but one mind. 'I cannot conclude better,' he said, 'than by giving expression to ths thought that is. I believe, uppermost in tho mind of evcty member of the conference, that the bonds of Empire are as strong to-diur as at any period in its history.'"