IN THE COMMONS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 9, 12 January 1927, Page 9

IN THE COMMONS

THE.IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, 4th December. In the House of Commons a few days ago Sir H. Brittain asked the' Secretary o£ State for the Dominions -whether lie could make a statement with regard to results achieved by the Imperial Conference. Mr. Amery said that he might summarise the general outcome of the Conference in a few words,' and added: —■■ ,

."Basing ourselves on the two .cardinal principles which govern the relationship between Great Britain and the Dominions, namely, their complate equality of status

and their unity' under a common Crown, we havt succeeded in giving clearer expres-' sion to that equality in matters o£ constitutional .procedure,'while we'have arrived at practical conclusions in our methods of co-operation in_ foreign affairs, in deferice, in migration, in trade, and communications, and in scientific research, which will, I believe, contribute greatly to the' strengthening of our unity.". Mr. Thurtle (Soc, Shoreditch).: "Is it not the best comment that' the Empire exists now- only in name?"

Mr. Amery: "Certainly not." Mr. Amery, in reply to Mr. Short (Soc, Wednesbury), said the total number of persons who had been assisted to emigrate, under the Empire Settlement Act during the period from Ist January to 30th. September, 1920, was 52,750. Included in this number were 5500 families (consisting of 20,648 'individuals), who went to Australia and New Zealand.