IMPERIAL UNITY

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 27, 31 January 1917, Page 7

IMPERIAL UNITY

VIEWPOINTS OF THE DO-

MSNIONS.^

CANADA THE CRUX OF THE

•.SITUATION.

(Received January 31, 9.30 a.m.)

LONDON, 30tb January.

The Quarterly Review contains three contributed articles giving South African, Australian, and New Zealand viewpoints on Imperial unity. The Australian writer says it is unlikely that Australia will-accept a- situation committing her to a. policy in which the people will have no voice; yet every sentiment/ repels the notion, of separation.

The Sout.h African writer dwells on -the increasing sentiment in South Africa, which, is against any reconstruction that will reduce the existing self-governing rights of the country. The New Zealand writer finds marked differences of opinion as to methods to bring aiboiit closer union. Some people consider it-hut, although the present cooperation has stood the strain of the present crisis, it is doubtful whether it will suffice in future. Nearly aIL a.greo that Canada is the crux of the situaition, and speculate about the position when the Canadian population will exceed thin of the Motherland. Most of those who favour .the change are chary of committing themselves to details. Very few New Zealauders, will agree to surrender the present autonomy for a more or less .nominal representation in the Empire, fearing that the present silken 'ties may be replaced by galling fetters. It is the

concensus ol opinion among New Zealand jurists that any nroposal to substitute a written Constitutidji for tho ; present unwritten one should not be j adopted Jightheartedly. More frequent meetings of the Imperial Conference would remove irritations like the double income-tax, and an interchange of army and navy officers and cheapened •cables would greatly help in the unifying process.