THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3065, 28 April 1917, Page 11

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

AND FUTURE EMPIRE RELATIONS (By I. W. Raymond.) London, February- 26. In July, 1914, I wrote, an article iu the -'National Roviow" strongly deprecating tho mischievous, agitation in favour of setting up a Federal Constitution for tlie Empire. In that article I advocated, as I have always done, something much less ambitious—a Chartor providing for Imperial obligations being restricted to Defence (Army and Navy), fiscal matters (preferential duties, Qtc), trad?, commerce, and finance (Imperial), I am parsuaded the wise course is to approve of a scheme as elastic a.s possible, cnn.sistont with investing each partner with moral rather' than legal obligations to carry out the letter and spirit of tho Charter. This course would, I am satisfied, meet tho desires of Imand conduco to less friction, than if under a concrete constitution. Tho machinery under such an arrangement would consist of an Imperial High Court or Council—consultive not oxecutivo—certainly not as Federalists advocate an Imperial Parliament based on direct representation from, the olectors of the"" Uliited- King-' dom and the Dominions. Seeing that the United Kingdom has a population of 47,000,000 as against 14,000,600—the total of tho combined Dominions—this would mean absolute domination by the United Kingdom- Tho obvious bankruptcy of Homo Statecraft during the last two decades, particularly the latter, does not tend to instil confidence in the miuda of such progressive peoples as comprise the Dominions, a fatal position for the predominant partner to occupy. The advocates or organic Federalism sustain their views on tho example afforded by tho United States of Amorioa and Germany. They entirely overlook the fact that these, countries are homogeneous communities, not merely self-contained nations, hut peoples owning allegianco to one flag, but deeply patriotic and with an enthusiastic belief-in their great destiny. These people enjoy every faoility for expeditious land transit, .choap electric telegraph service, daily and hourly exohango of Press opinious, in brief,' direct inter-communication that contiguous settlement and community of interest affords. Under such conditions, divergence of views on.national questions necessarily tend "towards general, assimilation. Potent faotors exist centring the aims and aspirations of tho people towards one common goal. Tho Emperor or President, as the case may be, being within the confines of tlip nation's territory, preserves the closest of bonds with his people. • Parliament enables representatives to keep in close touch with their constituents. These aro all weighty considerations on the gide of Federalism, as exemplified iu Germany and the United States, of America. . But contrast this condition of affairs .with tho British Empire. .Geographically its situation, is the'antithesis of the former- Individual nations certainly, with very clear and decided ideas as to the future, and jealous of any interference with the free institutions of their respective countries. The .people of each Dominion have strong national characteristics. Like' all young countries, they are strong in the beliefs of the great inheritance in store for them. Bear in mind that they are not merely separated by thousands of miles from the Mother/and,' where the. Imperial Parlia-ment-would he.installed, but are situated.at vast.distances from each other. Climatic,- that great moulder of ■ national character, is insidnously yet penetratingly at work changing and ' moulding these various peoples according to its inexorable decrees. Is it to be wondered that in the brief - space of a hundred years tho rnoial differences between tho Dominions aro as acute as they ara ? Those differencs cannot but' be accentuated as the yenxs roll on. Is it thinkable that under Such conditions, communities so constituted can be placed in the _ same mould under' a. wTitten constitution, as that of the United States of America 'or Germany? Emphatically, No! The greatest enemies of our race are those, who with tho best of intentions, hut devoid of Imperial outlook, and unfamiliar with the A B OJfif democracy, exercise their talents and abilities to try and persuade,the various British'communities to come nnder a political _ organic constitution. , They ' faii to realise that the United Kingdom has a long road to travel in the matter of national reforms (her house is not yet in order) before ljer representatives can sit down at the same table as the representatives of the Oversea Dominions, and discuss ■ the proposed '• articles of a written constitution for ' the establishment of an Imperial Parliament. In my opinion, much compromise is necessary between the representatives of the various Dominions before it is possible for them to agree under some less ambitious soheme than Federalism on a basis that will be _ approximately acceptable to their various Governments. Australia and New Zealand are clearly the only Dominions that can lay claim to being styled democracies, having Parliaments elected on adult suffrage. South Africa is in a most difficult position. Varied and conflicting interests have certainly been harmonised in tho face of a common enemy, but those who know her best realise the internal troubles that her legislators will be confronted with in the . ; near future, therefore her representatives at the Conference have a difficult J duty to discharge. South Africa has not only a "coloured" franchise, but also the black question is one of 'the greatest problems to bo faced. Its solution will seriously test the wit of man. Canada, is geographical!)' dangerously situated. Her vast territory, borders on the wealthiest, and probably tho greatest, nation of our timo. Her material interests will as time, goes on be in sad conflict with her maternal interests. The remarkable increaso of population in tho United States of America, and tho restriction of her food producing areas, combined with tho yearly increasing demand of its people for outside foodstuffs, is bound to establish a price which will bo 'a lucrative one for Canadian supplies. It need bo no surprise to those who look ahead to witness the drift of trade south iustead of east. It was an old axiom that trado followed tho Flag, but in this materialistic ago rather is there a danger of the reverse. It must not be overlooked that tho United States of America bavo already their talons deeply imbodded in important Australian interests. New Zealand is not being neglected either by tho American Billion Trusts. In the' faco of these views, does it not seem calamitous that there should ho any effort made to delay the ma-! terialisation. of a scheme for Imperial consolidation, by advocating something that is meantime impossible to attain ? To savp the situation it is a paramount necessity that at the approaching Conference tho rough outlines of a scheme should be improved of by the representatives of the various interests involved. No time should be lost in securing assent by the respective Parliaments to reduco to parchment some definite arrangement acceptable to all contracting parties. An Imperial_ High Court, such as I havo already indicated, not exceeding one hundred representatives elected hy i l tho .various Parliaments, whiob could

be constituted electoral colleges for that- purpose, clear and defined articles would comprise the Charter, embracing Defence (Army and Navy), Fiscal Laws, Development of Trado and Commerce, Control over Dominion Loans, Introduction of the Motrin System of Weights and Measures, Decimal System of Coinage, and' Uniformity in Naturalisation are issues which-may he classed as of material Imperial importance. _ The paramount object to bo achieved is the voice of oversea interests in the fundamental interest of the Empire. Though consultive, tho considered judgment of tlio Imperial High Court on any question coining within their reference, could not fail to ensure for it a sympathetic reception by the Home Parliament (Imporial). With tho centring of British interests along all Red Routes, and the active efforts of our raco to encourage and develop the latent resources of our vast oversea .inheritance, the tendency would nnquesKonably be towards closer union, and that under congenial and reciprocal conditions because natural and spontaneous, and not forced.