AN IMPERIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 12866, 16 July 1906, Page 6

AN IMPERIAL COUNCIL.

sm JOSEPH WARD’S VIEWS. QUESTION POE THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE. [From Ouh Special Correspondent. l LONDON,- June 9. In the course of his speech at the West Autralian dinner Sir Joseph Ward spoke of the necessity for creating some form of Imperial Council to act as intermediary he t wen the Mother Land and the selfgoverning States of the Empire in matters of Imperial interest. “Sometimes,” he said, “I think, how valuable it would be to the Mother Land, as well as to her colonies, if some of the people’s representatives who are governing the Old Land could visit those great dependencies of the Empire. I may further suggest to Mr Churchill that there was an important omission from the list of matters .which he mentioned would be considered by the Colonial Conference taking place in England next year. He referred to the questions of law strategy, trade communication, education, and science. As he is present, I would ask him to note that upon the agenda paper I hope there wiU be placed the question of the creation of an Imperial Council. (Loud applause.) However wi'dy Imperial affairs may be administered it most to any impartial observer (no matter what his politico! opinions may be! appear suicidal not to realhe the tremendous growth of .settlement and progress that has gone on in every portion of the British dependencies in recent vears. This progress has materially changed the conditions that a few years ago might have warranted the clinging to the Government system of the old land that has, I admit, done very well over a long period of years. The circumstances, however, that have brought about reformations and changes in Britain itself have been even more remarkable and pronounced in the colonies, and call for the advice and suggestions of men who have grown up in political life there and who are familiar with the details of a mechanism that is of a delicate though powerful character.—(Applause.) Though I do not suggest the form or powers an Imperial Council should take, still. I say without anv reservation, and speaking with a considerable knowledge of Australia .and New Zeeland, that there is n necessity for such a body, and that the Premiers assembled at the Conference will be men who by hard Work and industry have fought thesr way to the foremost post-.

fions in their lands, and have acquired sucto a practical knowledge of the conditions I and requirements of those countries that their advioe cannot be lightly set aside. It must be apparent that these men being assembled here, the consideration of snen an all-important matter as that I have indicated, with the advantage of their hardwon, practical knowledge being devoted to its solution, will tend to the creation of some machinery whereby they could at least advioe and co-operate with the Imperial Government on matters that extend far beyond the shores of Great Britain and Ireland, and thus add to the advancement and glory of that splendiid herilkge which we all ;o proudly claim as British.—(Applause). The Governments of the colonies know no parties in England in the sense .of dealing with matters affecting the colonies. We do not want any exceptional consideration from either party. All we require in this respect is the consideration which our position, as portions of tbe Empire, entitles ua to. What we do expect from all "parties is that they do not make matters df'oolonial concern subjects of party strife on this side of the water, and that the freedom of thought and judgment . which the selfgoverning colonies expect in dealing with their affiurs should be extended to them.— (Applause.) lam quite satisfied that whether it be the Liberal or the Conservative Govennnent in power in the Old Land, they will do what they consider is just and right to the colonies, who have shown that they are loyal to the core, and are prepared to assist in helping to make our great Empire greater and more glorious yet.”— (Applause.)