PARLIAMENTARY GATHERING

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXXI, Issue LXXXI, 14 May 1920, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY GATHERING

AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL TREASURER ENTERTAINED.

INTERESTING SPEECHES

BY CABLE-I>B.ESS ASSOCJATION-COPVBIGE'I'

(imperial Service.)

LONDON, May 12

There was a large attendance of "members of Parliament and members ■=«f the Empire Parliamentary Association at a luncheon to Mr W. A. Watt > v(Australian Federal Treasurer). The <xovernment was represented by Lord Milner (Secretary of the Colonies), Mr Walter Long (First Lord of the Admiralty), Mr E. Shortt (Home Secretary)^ Colonel L: C. Amery (Undersecretary for the Colonies), Mr H. Pike -Pease (Assistant Postmaster- ' General), and Sir L. Worthingtoa JSvane (Pensions Minister). Lord. Mil?ner presided.

Proposing the health of their guest, Xord iMilner said momentous events had happened since Mr Watt last visit--ed England. When Mr Hughes was .giving this country his invaluable help, ■Mr Watt directed the Australian effort :f rom the' other end, and how splendid that effort was, and how much Mr "Watt's tenacious energy contributed to Ite success, was a matter of history. "■There were many reasons why Mr Watt's presence here now was opportune. The close,of the war and the -Peace Conference ssvw the British Empire delegation dispersed. It might .not be possible at an early date to Jhave that body reassemble, but. reassemble it must in order to maintain -co-operation^ which was even more ne•cessary in peace, if the Empire is to .maintain its place in the world. Meanwhile, we must do our best to keep the various units in touch. More -could be achieved in a few hours round & table than in weeks by correspondence at long range. Thus it was with the liveliest satisfaction that he wel•comed Mr Watt's arrival.

Lord Milner was sure the presence of Mr Watt would lead to a settlement <of many questions affecting Britain and Australia, which it would be more -difficult to settle, if they were able. to ■settle them at all, without his presence. He cordially agreed with Mr Watt's isimilie "John Bull and C 0.," but we anust fit our arrangements to the peculiar constitution of the firm. It ■consisted of a number of tranches, the boards of which were practically in debit. In dealing with matters of their ■own interest, freedom was the greatest essential, while on the other hand, in dealing with common interests, "there was the danger of a muddle unless these boards could be kept in touch, and a complete interchange of Tiews was secured before final action Tras taken.'

Lord Milner was confident that with all the cards on the table they would aiever take conflicting action. The supreme importance of keeping business together would always prevent that. ■Since the world was continually moving things could not wait until "John Bull •and Company" could meet and talk "things over. There should be established . some «ort of clearing house for' "the exchange of views. Would it not be of the highest utility? Such a clearing house should be in this country, where the board of the oldest branch was situated. There should be -» standing committee, on which every branch should be represented. Would it not be possible to have a Minister ■always here? Not always the same man, for frequent changes would bring i;he latest ideas from the respective Tinits.

Mr Watt, replying, said the Empire to-day presented problems calling for -earnest thought. The Dominions in the war and the Peace Conference and the League of Nation® acquired a new status. He added: "We are jealous of •our local autonomy, and we think "there is no necessity for any infraction •or limitation of our autonomy." He •agreed with the idea of closer communioniby having Ministers in London ■with a changing personnel in constant "touch with the Home Government. Dealing with the Peace Treaty, he said •care must he taken to see that the Empire's voice on international affaire through one lip. This would mot mean that the overseas opinion would mot be articulate on such mattere.

Mr Watt defended the "White Aus- ! tralia" policy. ?'This doctrine means," Jie said, "that if there are to he negotiations between Britain and the TMikado, Australia wanted her views •consulted and registered. We must at ;all hazards preserve the spirit of' the .Empire—League of Natione or no league of Nations." Australia believed the Empire essential to her existence.. Australia had many problems :for solution in which a family cou•sultation was necessary, but "we muddle our way or work our way through them all." He believed there Tvould shortly be a vast stride in Federalism and the Statutory Convention would confer wider powers on the Fed- < oration. He invited -the Parliamentary Association if possible to send a delegation to observe the proceedings of "the convention when it assembled. He 'concluded by declaring that the cement that binds the Empire now and in the future was pride of race rather than •-a«y organic measure.