EMPIRE AFFAIRS

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6202, 6 October 1921, Page 5

EMPIRE AFFAIRS

AIR AIASSET ON THE CONFERENCE-. NO INTERFERENCE IN DOMINIONS’ RIGHTS. WELLINGTON, October 5. "Don't let anyone think for one moment that anything was done at the recent conference in London to interfere with the autonomy of the British Dominions,” -said Air Alaseey in the House to-day. He proceeded: “There has not been the very slightest interference. Perhaps it will be said that the Dominions have been committed to a certain extent. We have done nothing of the sort. I know that money will be required from the Dominions in the future. There are'lots of matters that involve the expenditure of money even in peace time. AH these questions of inter-imperial communications, inter-imperial trade, immigration and so forth require money. Eventhe League of aNtions requires money, but, when there is a question of money, the people to deal with expenditure, even for Empire purposes, will Ik- the representatives of the people in the Parliaments of the Dominions concerned. I am sure that, after what happened m the recent war, when thousands of millions of pounds were required, that our people will be able to arrive at: definite financial arrangements as between the States of the Empire without much trouble. No Parliament has been committed. The Parliaments will continue to manage the alf airs of the countries they represent. arrange their own finance, and make their own laws, but always remembering that they are citizens of the Empire and subjects of the King.’ Air Massey mentioned the question ot German reparation and said that this was a very important matter to all the Dominions. If the arrangement that had been made turned out as well as was expected, substantial benefits would be gamed. He was well aware that, after some time had elapsed, all sorts of suggestions would be made and all sorts of propaganda set on foot to secure the variation of the arrangements. He had realised the power of propaganda more fully than before, after observing wlmt Imd occurred recently, but he was not going to forget the exporiencen of the war. All the moner in Germany would not pay lor the life of oije of New Zealand’s soldiers. The lost lives could not be recovered, but he hoped that the arrangements made in good faith for the payment of the reparations would be carried out and that the money due to New Zealand would hr- paid. In due course he would give more information on that point in the House. —Special.