The Dominion. MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1917. THE IMPERIAL WAR COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2989, 29 January 1917, Page 4

The Dominion. MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1917. THE IMPERIAL WAR COUNCIL

"Lloyd G.eoege's announcement; regarding the functions of the Imperial War Oounoil and tho scope q{ its business shows that ho fully ,'realises the greatness of tho occasion and the need of dealing in a courageous Bpirit with tho momentous problems which are now pressing for solution. He has made it abundantly clear that the British Govcruro-c-nt "intends to fulfil in a large, and generous way its promise to take- counsel with the ovorseas Ilominions with regard to tho terms /6f peace. When the Dominions de- ' cided to support the Motherland with all their resources in this stupendous war they spontaneously obeyed the call of right, and kinship, and Empire. They made no bargain, and placed no price upon uieir services. The Empire needed their help—that was enough. They did not hold back because they had not teen consulted in reference- to the declaration of war, and they mado no demand for a more potent influence in shaping the foreign policy of the Empire. But tho irresistible logic of events has achieved more in thirty extraordinary months in tho wav of Imperial reconstruction than would, in all probability, have been accomplished in thirty ordirj&ry years. Mr. Lloyd George ia indulging in no mere figure of /Speech when he says that the war has opened a new age for us. "It has changed us," he says, "and taught us more than we yet understand." Britishers in every part of the world will heartily endorse his desire that tho people of tho Homeland should enter the new ago together with their fellows in the overseas Dominions, just as all have gone together through the darkness, and shed their blood and treasure together. The assembling of an Imperial War Council which will give representatives of the Dominions an effective voice in regard to the conovact of the war and tho negotiations ■for peace is a convincing proof that the British Government is ready to meet confidence with confidence, to give as well as take, and to invite the overseas Dominions to accept a fuller partnership in the management of the affairs of the Empire. The. Council, represents a great 'step forward. It is bound to have .farreaching consequences, direct and indirect. It must be left to time to reveal its full significance. The Council will be an Executive Cabinet for the Empire, and, guided by its advice and assistance, the British Government will have the assurance that, in matters relating to the present war and the coming peace, "it will be carrying out a policy agreed upon by the representatives of the Empire sitting in plenary council." And this epochmaking departure will, be brought about without formal legislation or -protracted negotiations. It will bo accomplished as it were by tho stroke of a pen; but behind it is the silent pressure of circumstances, and an instinctive desire for closer unity and fellowship which has been quickened by concerted action to avert a common danger. The functions to be assigned to the Imperial War Council aro of such outstanding importance that it is highly desirable that the representation of the Dominions should bo as complete and as authoritative as possible. Fortunately the Prime Minister of New Zealand is already in England, and Canada and South 'Africa have appointed their representatives. It is regrettable that owing to tho unsettled state of Federal politics in Australia there is still some doubt as to what tho Commonwealth intends to do. It is almost unimaginable that Australia will fail to accept the pressing invitation of the British Government to participate in the great task of solving the vital Imperial problems which tho war has created. Mr. Lloyd George's statement ought to make it absolutely impossible for the Commonwealth to stand aloof, and it is reassuring to find that Mr. Hughes now realises that it is imperative that Australia should be directly represented. It will not be the duty of the Imperial War Council to consider proposals for the reconstruction of the political machinery of tho Empire. The question of constitutional reorganisation will have to'bo considered at a later stage, but there arc a number of nighty important problems which cannot be postponed. Tho demobilisation of our five million soldiers presents a problem which requires a great deal of thinking out. It will have to be considered in conjunction with |,ho emigration question, and with any measures that i may. be adopted to.-make the- Empire,

'as self-reliant and self-sufi'ming as [Kissiblc. Demobilisation cannot bo (ii!|;o.ciatetl from land settlement and industrial and commercial reorganisation. The War Council will probably bo required to devise means ™ r S lv ' n «: effect to tho resolutions of the P-suMs Conference, and to form a plan of campaign for the coming f'Me w-afw H will, be the Council's ousiness to discover the best way,,of securing tho maximum amount "of os-uperation between the States of the Empire in all that relates to tho winning of the war, tho making of peace, and the re-establishmcnt of normal conditions in social and industrial affairs. There can be, no doubt that the character and extent of. trie political reconstruction which is expected to take place after the war is over will largely depend upon the manner in which tho Council performs its task. The creation of this "Executive Cabinet of the Empire" is a striking proof that Mb. Lloyd George means what he says when ho tells us that he will not hesitate to break precedents at such a time, as this. The war has created an immensely great opportunity for courageous statesmanship. The fetters of tradition and convention are being shaken off, and the Empire was never more ready for large reforms. Tho Empiro is at school again, and it is learning quickly. It is expecting big changes. The idea of reconstruction ( on a large scale, has captured its imagination. But all hopes cannot bo realised in a clay. As a recent writer remarks, there can be no interval for reconstruction, the Empire must keep on going all tho time. Wo must solve our Imperial problems as we go along. Each step points the way to tho next. The War Council is a bold experiment, it gives us sonic idea of tho great tilings which tho new age into which we are now passing has in store for us.