IMPERIAL WAR CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4905, 26 June 1918, Page 2

IMPERIAL WAR CONFERENCE.

SUMMARY OF OPIaiATLONS’.

(Press Association Telegram.K

WELLING!OX, June 25. - A telegraphic.' summary of- the proceedings- of the Imperial War Conference, sont-to the Governor-General by the Secretary /for State, for the ■Colonics, reads'as follows: ‘‘The- Imperial War Conference held its first .meeting' on the 12th of 1 June, under the chairmanship of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The Secretary bf State for Foreign Affairs and India were also "present, | with representatives of Canda, New \ Zealand, South Africa, and Newfoundland. .The chairman, in his opening address, described briefly the | important work done on the resol u- j tions passed bv last year’s conference, and this year, particularly in the economic sphere. Representatives of the overseas Dominions', and the Secretary of State for India replied, emphasising in particular/'the resourcefulness of the Brtisli navy in securing the attendance of representatives from all parts of the world without a hitch, and in security. A loyal resolution was nassed to His Majesty, and much emphasis was laid on the devotion and unremitting work of the Royal Family during the strain of war.. The Secretary ol State for, Foreign Affairs also addressed the conference. He emphasised the unique spectacle presented to the . world by ~ the self-governing I parts of the British Empire standing ' together aiid successfully co-operat-ing, in spite of tli e immense strain of four-years of war'and laid special stress on the possibilities arising through the United States’ entry into the war for the promotion of tlie future happiness and o freedom of mankind. ' “Tile second meeting was held on 17tli June,.* at which delegates from Australian and India, were also present, 'thus making the conference completely representative for the firist time of all parts of the Empire A message was read from the King in reply to the loyal resolutions. The conference proceeded to deal with the work of the Imperial War Graves Commission. This" commission was established under the presidency of the Prince of Wales as a result of a resolution passed by the conference last- year. Much emphasis was laid by the Dominion representatives on the need for all possible pressure on Turkey to safeguard _ graves at Gallipoli, and great interest wa.s shown in the question of headstones and badges for graves of Dominion troops. Strong feeling was also expressed in favour of the decision of the commission to give a common form of memorial for all ranks. A resolution was passed, commending the labors of the coinmission since its establishment, and in favour of the cost of carrying out its decisions being borne by the respective Governments of the Empire in proportion to the.number of graves.of their dead. This cost is estimated, according to ‘information at present available, at an average of £lO Per officer or man buried. The cost of erecting • memorials to those whose graves are not identified has not yet been estimated, but it is thought likel-c to be considerably less in proportion. ' The conference next discussed tlie question of the establishment of a dom to supervise the emigration of .central authority in the United Iving- ’ ex-service men and others after the war. The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies explained the provisions of the Emigration Bill now before the Imperial Parliament,, and discussion ensued. The question cliieflv .arising was whether the irpresentatives of the overseas Dominions in the United Kingdom- should be associated' -with the executi e work of the new body proposed under the Bill or should assist in an advisory capacity. Tlie discussion was not completed and was adjourned. “A third meeting was held on iJth June. At this various phases of the Imperial economic policy after the war was over arose, and the proceedings were necessarily of a confidentia character. No conclusion was reached, and the discussion will be. con•kiiYiiod o/t