THE EMPIRE AT WAR

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 40, 16 August 1917, Page 7

THE EMPIRE AT WAR

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S PRAISE

FRUITS OF THE IMPERIAL CON

FERENCE.

(RBOTBR'S TBI-BBRAM.)

LONDON, 14th August.

In the House of Commons, speaking on the Colonial Office vote, Mr. Long (Colonial Secretary) paid a tribute to the part played by the Dominions in the war. Their soldiers had shown themselves worthy of the best traditions of the British Army. He was constantly receiving proofs of the admiration of the native races foi- Britain, and their loyalty to the King. He read messages from' British East Africa and the Indian Association at Zanzibar, and placed emphasis on the point that this loyalty and trust in Britain should be encouraged and justified by our future treatment of the natives.

Mr. Long mentioned that conscription had been enforced in British East Africa, Uganda, Ceylon, the Straits Settlements, Malay States, and was being considered elsewhere. Hongkong had found it unnecessary, .because every white man had already volunteered. TTie Crown Colonies had fully done their duty. Referring to the suggestion, that the campaign in German East Africa ought to be brought more rapidly to a conclusion, the speaker enlarged upon the stupendous physical difficulties that had to be overcome.

The overseas representatives at the Imperial Conference, he added, had frequently expressed the hope that the resolutions that had been passed would not be pigeon-holed. He had assured them that he would do hio best to ensure that effect would be given to them as early as possible. Referring to the question of Imperial preference, he said that obviously any policy of preference must be framed to meet the views of the Allies. The subject demanded continued consideration. The appointment by the Prime Minister of a conference to report upon the best methods and machinery by which effect could be given to the resolutions of the Imperial Conference was evidence of the Government's intention to take all the steps it could to give effect thereto. He (Mr. Long) believed that the result of the Conference would strengthen the prosecution of the war, and help to take some steps after the war to reap the full advantage of the lessons learned to make the Empire more strong and powerful than before the war. Every oyersea-s Minister showed a strong desire to promote the interests of the Empire.- What they really desired was that he. should realise strongly their feeling, and. that it did not originate in a desire for increased territory or any question of that kind. Their desire was that after the war there should be permanent peace in the world and security for the Empire. The knowledge of the past efforts of the Dominions and the experience gained at the Imperial War Conference showed that the whole Empire was one, and was prepared to use its resonrces to make a combined effort to secure a final and complete victory.