AN AMBITIOUS PROPOSAL

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 62, 14 March 1911, Page 4

AN AMBITIOUS PROPOSAL

| When the last session was drawing jto its close we expressed a hope that j Parliament would not adjourn without an opportunity being afforded Members to discuss the attitude to be adopted by the Prime Minister, as representative of the Dominion at the Imperial Conference. As our readers will remember, the usual hurry-scurry took place, but Sir Joseph Ward found time to give a brief statement as to the matters he intended to bring before the Conference. Unfortunately, Members on both sides were eager to get away to their homes, and the statement made by the Prime Minister, instead of being discussed with the care such an important matter should have received, was practically not debated at all. The result is that what is virtually a free hand has been given

to our representative, and that being the case, the speech made by Sir Joseph at Sydney on Saturday last is exceptionally interesting, _for it indicates an entirely new line' of action on the part of New Zealand's delegate to the Conference. We are by no means sure that what Sir Joseph proposes to put before the Conference will meet with approval by thoughtful New Zoalanders, especially those who have paid any special attention to Imperial politics. No one, we think, will question the Prime Minister's statement that for the better protection of the Empire as a whole, and of its various parts, the great self-governing States of which the Empire is composed must "join hands more closely," and when Sir Joseph put forward his resolutions (to be brought forward at the Conference) his project of t an Advisory Council met with widespread approval. But we did not believe, nor did anyone believe, that Sir Joseph meant so to enlarge this scheme of an Advisory Council that it should develop into an Imperial Parliament—that is. that this country should, through its representative, commit itself to accepting a scheme of Imperial Federation. Already Sir Joseph talks of "an Imperial Parliament of Defence,'/ representing,all parts of the Empire, and elected on a population basis, io such a chamber, so he has been pleased to say, "the declaration__ot peace and war could safely be lert. We may say at once that we do not believe for one moment that either Australia or New^ Zealand would be willing to leave the question of peace or war in the hands of such a Parlia- ; ment as that which the Prime Mmisteir has outlined. Upon a "population basis" Australia # and New Zealand would always be liable to be outvoted by States with which they have very little in common. Is India, for instance, to be represented on a population basis? Australia and New Zealand are firmly wedded to a. national policy. They are most loyally devoted to the Empire,, and have recently given practical and convincing proof of their willingness to make increasingly substantial financial sacrifice so as to lessen the burderi of defence upon the British taxpayer. But between this and acceptirig a scheme of Imperial Federation there is a very wide difference. Sir Joseph Ward is an exceedingly enthusiastic and zealous statesman; but we consider he is embarking upon a scheme of very doubtful value when he purposes putting forward the project he sketched out in his speech at Sydney. We take exception not only to the scheme itself- but to the manner in which it is being put forward. Sir Joseph surely did not leave the elaboration of his original scheme— the creation of an Advisory Council— until he left for Sydney ? We afe surprised that he did not think fit to take; the Parliament and people of New Zealand more fully into his confidence before making such a sweeping alteration. When Parliament 'carelessly and without due discussion approved of the resolutions put before it. there was no mention of any possibility of the Prime Minister's proposing such an ambitious scheme as that he has now outlined. To the, principle of an Advisory Council the country is no doubt clearly pledged: but we hold that neither SirJoseph Ward nor any one else has a I rie:ht to modify arid , enlarge that I scheme in the way now Proposed withI oufthfl country's being; first consulted through its elected representatives.