BRITAIN AND DOMINIONS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 54, 27 November 1926, Page 9

BRITAIN AND DOMINIONS

EQUALITY OF STATUS NOT YET ACCOMPLISHED

COMMON LOYALTY AND IDEALS HOLD EMPIRE TOGETHER

While emphasising that the full equality of the Dominions with Britain was now recognised, the Secretary of Stat for the Dominions and Colonies declared that this did not mean equality of status, as for years Britain would be bound to play a major part in Empire defence and foreign policy.

By Telegraph,—Press • Association.—Copyright.

(Rec. November 26, 7.40 p.m.) London, November 26. In a broadcast address regarding the results of the Imperial Conference, the Dominions Secretary (Mr. L. Amery I emphasised the fact that the Dominions had come ol age and that their full equality with Britain was now recognised, “though this does not mean equality of status, wealth, or population, as for years Britain is bound to play a major part in the defence of the Empire and settlement of foreign policy.” The Dominions were now entitled to exercise every function of national life, he said. There were critics who feared that this meant the beginning of disruption of the Empire but Mr Amery did not believe that the Empire was held together by a central authority, but by cdmmon lovaltv and ideals. Sir Robert Horne, in a, speech at (Glasgow, said that in the present times of difficulty, disappointment, and distress it was good to remember that they had a mighty collection of sistei nations, still permeated by the spirit of youth which furnished inspiration for new encouragement. He mentioned that after attending a metallurgical conference tn Canada next August, he

i would go to spend a few weeks in New Zealand and Australia. APPEALS TO PRIVY COUNCIL QUESTION OF GOVERNORS’ POWERS London, November 25. In the House of Commons, arising from the Imperial Conference report, Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke (Devonport) inquired whether Mr Baldwin would undertake that steps would not be taken to impair the right of British Dominion subjects to appeal to the Privy Council without the Imperial Parliament being consulted. The Prime Minister replied that he could not give an assurance that Parliament would be consulted except to an extent involving legislation. Sir C Kinloch-Cooke asked whether anv change was contemplated in the right of a Dominion Governor to refuse assent to a Bill passed by a Dominion Parliament, or to reserve atty measure for the Crown’s consideration Mr Baldwin said that this aspect of the Governor-Generals’ position was not dealt with in the Inter-Imperia! Rela tions Report. He was unaware that anv change was contemplated