SINS OF OMISSION

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 261, 31 July 1937, Page 11

SINS OF OMISSION

Criticism of Imperial Conference PRAISE FOR DOMINION POLICY By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, July 29. Criticism of the Imperial Conference, concerned not so much with its sins of commission as its sins of omission was voiced by Mr. F. W. Pethrick-Lawrence (Labour) in the course of a desultory debate on the Dominions’ affairs in the House of Commons. He complained that no far-reaching contribution had been made to world problems, no settlement on questions between the British race and larger world interests, and no result as regards relations between the white and coloured races. It was a marking-time conference. He commended the attitude of the New Zealand. Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, in holding that a real increase in world trade was impossible unless the standards of life in every country were raised. “In New Zealand,” he said, “Mr. Savage and his Government have worked consistently to raise the spending power, and I be-' lieve considerable progress has already been made.” Refreshing Policy. Mr. G. L. M. Mander (Liberal), dealing with the report of the Imperial Conference, said lie traced , in it a tendency toward lip service to the League, but the New Zealand policy on the subject was refreshing and realistic, and he hoped the other Dominions and Britain would follow New Zealand’s example. Personally, he believed that the British Government in practice had abandoned the idea - of relying on the collective system, but the future of the British Empire depended on an effective League. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir E. W. M. Grigg (Conservative) expressed the opinion that the discussions, at the Imperial Conference went nearer to realities tlum the report suggested. "Indeed,” he said, “if certain statements which leaked out were true, there was a quality about many of the discussions which all would welcome.” The world had taken notice of the fact that the Dominions realised the importance of the defence of their own spheres. Mr. 11. W. Kerr (Conservative) suggested that in each capital a committee be formed to implement Empire publicity, the committee to comprise the High Commissioners, Press, cinema and broadcasting interests.

Settlement Desired.

The Dominions Secretary, Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, in replying, said

that the Government shared fully the desire for settlement of points in the dispute between Britain and the Irish Free State. "We are not disposed to be too rigid in our consideration of these questions,” he said. The Government was continuing consultation with the . Dominions with it view to helping shipping. Mr. MacDonald reviewed the position in regard to the South African protectorates, and said the Government abided by its pledges that a transfer would not occur till the wishes of the local populations hard been carefully considered, and till Parliament had had an opportunity of expressing its views. A communication to General. Hertzog, the South African Prime Minister, was being drafted dealing with the whole question. Finally Mr. MacDonald described 1937 as an historical Imperial year for the British Commonwealth of Nations, demonstrating that co-operation between free and equal nations was an attainable ideal.