SIR JOSEPH WARD

Evening Post, Volume CC, Issue 5, 6 January 1921, Page 8

SIR JOSEPH WARD

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

ADDRESS AT ROYAL' COLONIAL , INSTITUTE.

(rxox obji own con߻6rom>BNT.)

'"■ LONDON; 18fch~ November.' At a men's meeting of the Royal Colonial; Institute '.last,. week,' Colonel L S Amery, Under-Secretary forthe Colonies, read a paper *ou"The Reconstruction of the Empire." Sir Joseph Ward was also invited to" speak, and although the meeting was not open to the press, Sir Joseph was;{rood enough to.givo me an outline of that part of his speech dealing with the ■question"of the'Tmperral Conference. He commented on the fact that there was not nearly enough representation at the Imperial Conferences-of'the past.';A. great deal" of ■the"time":ha'd been taken up with •discussions of recent policy as. affecting 'tßa~rc"i»eSent-aJTvcs~local;l3?'." i "Empiro matters were too big, ioo important, he said, to have the proceedings of the conference subordinated tertho.. political .'requirements of any., one-part of the Empire, whether tJio Motherland or any other portion. They- had enough difficulties- ahead of them in the matter of the general reconstruction— industrial- and commercial — without adding to them the ver" baneful one of allowing the people to remain in doubt as to ' what; tho. oppressed views of their representatives were.'-. 1 *■-* ■•; Sir Joseph /also expressed:Va!', very decided opinion that it was entirely wrong to confine the Empire conferences to any one sido in politics. The Government or: the- day from every part of the Empire necessarily must be there, but in hie opinion the Leader of the Opposition should: also be invited to the conference, and in theso times, of development in politics, the subordinate- parties, where they had" their own Labour leaders, should,. in his opinion, also be present. It might prevent difficulties to have this brought about, but ODe great desideratum would- be- the _ avoidance of matters of Imperial concern drifting into any political channel belonging for the time being to the party in office.. It would be a great factor in bringing about a full consideration and discussion of many matters of importance- to. the people, both of; the Motherland and the overseas countries. No doubt a great deal of valuable work, had, been done ..up. till now, but there-was-much yet to- be accomplished. H_C Jplnigii biit ih'airin -'the'-Housc of Commons every party, upon any matter great or. small that, aioso for- discussion, had an opportunity in' the light of day through publicity, to suggest, support, or oppose.any proposals, anil the same principles; should be-followed in the Imperial ' Conference. " "

Sir Joseph and Lady Ward are still in .Xoiidoh. though they intend to po.y a long-deferred visit to' Hull in about a fortnight's time. After that they, will go on to Bath, where their son,. Mr J Pat. Ward, is living;: for i\ie. timer being. Mr Vincent Ward', who'at present "is in America, will shortly join the family party. Mr. Gladstone Ward, who was recently married in Kfrypt, is about to return with his wife to New Zealand.