A SUCCESSFUL MISSION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 18, 16 October 1918, Page 4

A SUCCESSFUL MISSION

The welcome accorded to Me. Massey and Sib Joseph Wakd on their return to the Dominion is no more than a just recognition of tho fact that they have discharged the duties of an exacting Imperial mission with credit and success. In spite of the friendly eagerness of

tho British Government to meet ,thcm more than '' halfway, the part of the official representatives of the Dominions who have gone to London during the war period has been anything but an easy one to play. The constitution of the _ Imperial _ War Cabinet was a daring experiment; in the act of its constitution difficulties opposing tho creation of a real Imperial authority were ignored rather than overcome. This, of course, means that altogether exceptional demands were made upon the tact and ability of its members, not least in the case of those who came from the oversea Dominions. In the circumstances the rapid >. development of the Imperial Cabinet as .an institution making definitely for cloEe and effective co-operation between the' various countries of the Empire marks- a signal achievement, and in that achievement our own Ministerial representatives

have a share. The nature of tho reception accorded to Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward in London and in many other parts of the United Kingdom is a sufficient indication of the favourable impression they made and of the success with which they carried out their mission. Their most important work, of course, was done behind closed doors, but there is no doubt that,tho meetings of the War Cabinet in which our Ministers took part a monJh or two ago did much to cement Imperial relationships. In

larticular. there is evory reason to

believe that as a result of the decisions reached the British reprcsenta'tives will be enabled to speak) confidently for the" whole Empire on the subject of peace. No better evidence could bo desired on this point than, is supplied in Mk. Massey's statement that he is confident that the representatives of the British Empire at the Peace Conference—if such a body is ' organised—will oppose the return to Germany of her former. Pacific colonies. The complete understanding thus indicated in itself very strikingly illustrates the great forward stride that has been taken recently towards effective representation and Imperial unity. The country will await with interest the report the.Prime Minister intends to make to Parliament upon

the work done by Sir Joseph Ward and himself in London, and also an outline of-the programme- proposed for, the coming session. Mr. Mα: ' sey has said that the amount of work awaiting the attention of Parliament is not large, but it is obv ously incumbent on the National Government to make, all possible preparations' in advance to deal ■with the more pressing problems that will arise.on the conclusion of peace. Whatever the scope of the session programme may full attention must he given, for instance, to the question of repatriation, and all possible efforts must be made to round off the measures already in hand to secure the return of our soldiers to civil life- under tho best possible conditions. There is much to be said for the appointment of a Minister to exercise undivided control in matters of repatriation. In referring to the subject not long ago, Sir James Allen named as an obstaole to this course tho fact that various Ministers and Departments were, concerned in matters of repatriation. . It is precisely for that reason, however, that a central authority on repatriation is needed, not to override ithe' functions of

other Ministers and their Departments, but to co-ordinate the various measures taken on behalf of sol-

diers returning from the war. In this direction and others there is

ample scope for useful activity by Ministers and members during the session of Parliament about to open.

Mr., Massey and Sir Joseph Ward have returned from a mission which made no light call upon their energies, to find every prospect of strenuous times at homo.