BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 49, 26 August 1921, Page 7

BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA

DOMINIONS AS PARTNERS.

(PUBLISHED IN THE TIMES.)

LONDON, 23rd August.

Mr. Massey, in an interview, said that the events of the last two months, from the point of view of constitutional procedure, had been the beginning of a new era for the Empire. It was by far the most important Conference yet held, because the Dominions had been called upon to participate in the management of the Empire's common affairs. Even the 1917 Conference was different. In ihat case the Dominions were consulted, but nothing further was done. The recent Conference, though called a conference, acted as a Cabinet, its decisions being equivalent to Cabinet decisions. The overseas Ministers acted up to the new status arising out of the war, namely, the Dominions were now partners of the Empire, with all partners' privileges and responsibilities. He admitted that he came to London to advocate a constitutional conference, but the proceedings of the recent Conference had rendered unnecessary any written constitution. It was not required, in the opinion of himself and other Ministers. In regard to foreign affairs, the Dominion Ministers had been taken into the fullest confidence of British Ministers. The whole range of the Empire's foreign policy was laid before them.

He regretted that the American Government did not see its way to hold a preliminary conference before the Washington Conference on disarmament, especially as probably neither Mr. Hughes nor himself ■■would be able to proceed to ' Vvashington. ' No countries in the world were so interested in the Pacific as Australia and New Zealand. He had not the slightest doubt that the Empire's representatives would see that the case was thoroughly considered, but the question was so vital to Britons in the Southern Hemisphere that h6 would have welcomed personal consultation with the other countries' representatives. He was stronsjly of opinion that an understanding between .America, Japan, and the British Empire would hn more likely -to lead to a solution of the Pacific problem than anything else. Such an understanding seemed to him an indispensable preliminary to disarmament. Mr. Massey, rpferring to the naval policy, said: "Britain must be in a position to defend her interests in the Pacific. She cannot allow herself to sink tr third place. The Empire depends upon sea power, and will cease to exist if vi» B-ble to maintain its communications " Other communications by cables, wireless, and air must be fostered by nvery means. New Zealand was exceedingly anxious to foster Imperial preference. Mr. Massey considered it mosj. important that the Dominions should receive the surplus population of Britain. As reeards commercinl preference, New Zealand desired to extend its operations, giving a decided preference to the countries of the Empire. If new political arrangements were to succeed, every British country must help the remainder more than hitherto."