Imperial Conference

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1921, Page 3

Imperial Conference

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

Not the least question is the future of China, which looks to us, as to the United States for sympathetic treatment and fair play. No greater calamity could overtake the world than a further accentuation of the world s divi-

cions, upon lines of race. The Empire lias done signal service to humanity, 'y*by bringing these idArisiions in the past. The loyalty of the King’s Asiatic peoples is proof. To depart from that policy, or to fail in that duty, would not only greatly increase the dangers of international war, it w ould divide the British Empire against itself. Our foreign policy can never range itself in any sense upon the differences of race and civilization between

the East and West. It would be fatal to the Empire. ,W e confidently to the Government and people of United States for sympathy and understanding in this respect. The friendly co-opera-tion of United States is for us a cardinal principle dictated by instinct, quite as much as by reason and a common sense desire to work with the great Republic in all parts of the world. Like United States, we want stability and peace on the basis of liber ty and justice. We desire to avoid the growth of armaments whether in the Pacific or elsewhere and we rejoice that American opinion should be showing an earnestness in hat direction.

At the present time we are ready to discuss with American statesmen any proposal for the limitation of armaments. We will undertake that such overtures will not find a lack of willingness on our part, to meet them. Meantime we cannot forget that the life of the United Kingdom, as also that of Australia and New Zealand, indeed the whole Empire lias been built up on sea power. That sea power is necessarily the basis of the whole Empire’s existence. Therefore we look to measures which security requires us to aim at. We cannot possibly be content with less.

* The British. Government has been under suspicion, in some quarters, of harbouring designs against this Conference We are.said to he dissatisfied with the present state of the Empire and to wish to alter its organisation in some revolutionary way. We are not at all dissatisfied.

Another change which has taken place since the war, is the decision of the Canadian Government to have a Minister in Washington. We co-operated willingly, and rihnll welcome a Canadian colleague in Washington, as soon as the appointment is made. We will welcome any suggestion you have for the association of yourselves more closely with the conduct of foreign relations. There was a time when Downing Street controlled the Empire. To-day il is m charge of Downing Street. We want to know your standpoint. We want to tell you ours. In recognition of theirservices and achievements in the war the Dominions have been accepted fully into a comity of nations by the whole world. They have achieved full national status, and now stand beside the United Kingdom as equal partners in the dignities and responsibilities of the British Commonwealth. India’s achievements were also very great. Its theatre in Europe was remote, yet India stood by her allegiance heart and soul, from the first call to arms and some of her soldiers are still serving far from their homes and families in the common cause. India’s loyalty in the great crisis is eloquent of the Empire’s success in bridging east and west. India had also proved her right to her new status "n our council. I welcome her representatives to the great Council of Empire. War has revealed to the world that the Empire is not an abstraction but a living force. This opportune revelation of the reality of the Empire has altered the history of the world. Those who knew how narrow the margin was between victory and defeat, can proclaim without hesitation, that without those two million men from outside of the United Kingdom, Prussianism would probably have triumphed in the west, before the American troops arrived.

Lord Curzon who is now discussing with M. Briand the execution of tlie victorious treaty, would be discussing; how best to carry out the humiliating terms, dictated by the triumphant war lords of Germany. A reign of unbridled force would have been supreme and unregulated. The unity of the British Empire saved France, Britain and civilisation from that catastrophe. Victory has its cares as well as defeat, but they are ephemeral, and soon surmounted. Defeat would have reversed the engines of progress and democracy would have been driven back centuries. The British Empire is the saving fact in the distracted world and most hopeful experiment in human organisation that the world has yet seen. The Empire is based not on force, but on goodwill, and common understanding. Liberty is its binding principle. In this room we stand for long political development of the British Isles, with all its splendours and pains of the crucible from which the framework of the whole great structure has emerged, in all the marvellous achievements of our peoples, which this gathering reflects. I am most deeply impressed by tbe blending of the east and west. Our duty here is to present +he ideals of this great association of peoples in a willing loyalty to one Sovereign to take counsel together regarding the progress and welfare of all and to keep out* strength both moral and material, a united power for justice, liberty and peace. At the conclusion of the address Mr Moighen congratulated Hon. Llovd George, and other Dominion representatives endorsed Mr Meighen’s remarks expressing the greatest appreciation of the address. At Tuesday’s sitting each Premier will speak, giving his detailed views on all questions most concerning his dominion. The actual discussion of matters on the agenda paper will not be taken up until all the Premiers have spoken. Deane, Secretary of the Premiers Department attends' all the Conferences sittings and occupies a position immediately opposite Hon. Llovd George.