IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9771, 31 July 1924, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

TO BE HELD IN OCTOBER. FOREIGN AND IMPERIAL AFFAIRS TO BE DISCUSSED. United Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, July 29. In the Houso of Commons Mr. Thomas announced that he had convened a Dominions’ Conference, to be held in October, to explore the question of Dominions’ representation in connection with foreign policy and Imperial affairs.—Reuter. Mr. Thomas announced that the High 'Commissioners for the Dominions and India would take precedence immediately after British and Dominion Cabinet Ministers on ceremonial occasions, but when no British or Dominion Cabinet Ministers were present the High Commissioners would take precedence immediately after that accorded to the Secretary of State by the table of iirecedence.—Reuter.

WHY DOMINIONS ARE INVITED. LESSON TO FOREIGN POWERS. (Received July 30, 10.20 p.m.) LONDON, July 29. In the Commons, Mr. Thomas’ announcement of an Imperial Conference in October followed a speech wherein Colonel Araery accused the Government Departments of England of falling back to the old traditional attitude, not realising that a new chapter of British constitutionalism had opened during the war. Mr. Thomas said we promised the Dominions that their representation at the present Allied Conference was not a precedent, being desirous to make it plain foreign Powers that such a system of representation of the Dominions was unsatisfactory and must be altered. That is why we are inviting the Dominions to a conference in October. I cannot lay the papers on the table at the moment, as replies have not been received, but there is every indication the conference will be welcomed, and the Government want it to take place in order to explore the whole situation. We want to avoid the difficulties we have had to deal with so far. It is imperative that the interests of the Dominions should be recognised and looked after. We also want outsiders to understand that any domestic differences are not going to weaken' us, becauso we are going to remedy them. Earlier in the debate Colonel Amerv said that at the Paris Conference the status of the Dominions was recognised not only among ourselves, but by the outside world, as equal to that of other independent nations. The real solution could best be found in making the principle of the British Empire delegation continuous, and by giving the Dominions a continuous say in’ our foreign policy. After all we could not have different degrees of citizenship within the Empire.— A. and N.Z.C.A.

LLOYD GEORGE PAYS TRIBUTE TO DOMINIONS. MUST BE CONSULTED IN FOREIGN POLICY. (Received July 3C. 10.420 p.m.) LONDON, July 29. Mr. Lloyd George, continuing the debate, said lie was glad this subject had been raised because it was of vital importance to the unity, strength and continued existence of the Empire. The war had made a great difference. The sacrifices the Dominions made from 1914 to 191 S were more than any made by Britain in any war since the Napoleonic war. When the Dominions put one million men in the field, and these men were probably the decisive factor in what happened, it was impossible not to comply with the Dominions’ demand that henceforward they should be consulted in Britain’s foreign policy, which commits them to such enormous sacrifice. It had been difficult to get the Departments to understand the full meaning of that change. The matter was most important. When one considers the difficulties our well-wishers in the Dominions have in always carrying the whole of then* public opinion along with them on Empire issues, we should be careful not to give the slightest offence. The difficulty is distance and until that is scientifically shortened, that difficulty would remain. The Colonial vote was carried.

The “Daily Chronicle” approves the October conference, though it is a belated decision. The Conference should have been summoned before the present London Conference instead of after. There was plenty of time if Mr. Macdonald had thought of it. The. Dominions’ demand was entirely just and must be met. —A. and N.Z.C.A.

WILL DOMINIONS ATTEND? “MORNING POST” NOT OPTIMISTIC. (Received July 30, 11 p.m.) LONDON, July 30. The “Morning Post,” discussing the new Imperial Conference, says: “As Britain lias just committed the folly of rejecting the unanimous advice of representatives of the Dominions given in conference, we shall be surprised if the Dominions are so forgiving as to enter another conference, whose decisions may be m exactly the same way.—A. and N.Z.C.A.