NEW CONCEPTION OF EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 60, 4 December 1926, Page 9

NEW CONCEPTION OF EMPIRE

EMANATING FROM IMPERIAL CONFERENCE DOMINIONS FULL AUTONOMY ok ALL ISSUES ARTICLE BY MR. BRUCE Mr. Bruce, in an article on “The Conference - and Dominion Status,” says that future generations may look back upon 1926 as the year in which the Empire definitely emerged from the difficult stage of its growth, arid finally accepted the new conception of. itself as a free partnership of genuinely equal nations.

BY Telegraph.—Press (Rec. December 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 3. “Future generations may look back upon 1956 as the year in which the Empire definitely emerged from, the difficult stage of its growth and finally accepted the new conception. of itself as a free partnership of genuinely equal nations which came to birth in the storm and stress ot the war.” Mr. Bruce with these concluded an article in the “English Review” on “The Conference and Dominion Status.”

Mr. Bruce argues that the period ot uncertainty after the war might have been foreseen. “It was implicit in the nature of the Empire from the moment when the Dominions were accorded self-government. The distinction between self-government in the domestic sphere and nursery governmeu in the sphere of foreign politics was very well for a time, but could not last. It seems to me that the only real, substantial question which the Conference had to settle was whether the will to unity throughout the Empire had or had not ben impaired by the events and experiences of tlie past twelve years. It may be said that the resolutions merely clarified the position which existed all along, but there was no such general agreement about the political situation of the Empire as it existed to-day. Now that the work of clarification had been doue we had to establish clearly the fact of the Dominions’ full autonomy in respect of every issue raised, and to do it on the basis of leaving the essential unity of the British Commonwealth in everywise unimpaired. I think that both these tasks have been accomplished.

LIBERTY, EQUALITY AND UNITY.

"The great watchwords of liberty, equality and unity have been freely and unmistakably accepted. Their application in detail have gone quite as far as the needs of our time demand, without leaving that kind of over-rigid definiteness which may itself easily prove a stumbling block. We have cleared up the political situation of the Empire

Association.— Copyright. and know where we stand as an Empire. Each part can rely upon everyone’s genuine belief in the Imperial Union. Eaclr knows this close union does not imply derogation from the Sovereign. The status we have now brought about is the tightening of the bonds of common interest and sentiment in order that thev may withstand the unforeseen shocks of time and circumstances. In this way they may endue for centuries.” POSITION OF SOUTH AFRICA NO QUESTION OF SECESSION ADDRESS BY MR. ROOS Cape Town, December 2. Mr. T. J. Roos (Minister of Justice), addressing his constituents, said: — “We are absolutely satisfied that as the result of the Imperial Conference we will now be able to work for the economic development of South Africa.” On behal f of the National Party, he could say that there would be no alteration in the position as now laid down, no question of the secession of South Africa, no question of Republicanism, and no constitutional question of any kind like those raised in. the past. “We freely accept what is freely given,” he said. “The relations now existing between South Africa and the British Empire are permanent relations.” The new development, however, did not alter the flag question, but that must wait until the return of General Hertzog (Prime Minister) before it was decided what to do. He would not like to see bitterness caused over a matter of comparatively small importance, which was not a national but a party question. Mr. Roos’s declaration is considered to be important, as he was hitherto, regarded as the leader of the secessionist wing of the Nationalist Party.