Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, FEB. 10, 1930. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 63, 10 February 1930, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, FEB. 10, 1930. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

It is time something 1 was heard concerning the representation ot the Dominion at the Imperial Conference, which appears definitely fixed to be lield some time in September. The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Scullin, stated a few days ago that he intended leaving for .London to attend the conierence either in July or August. Sir Joseph Ward, when questioned on tne subject, had nothing to say concerning New Zealand’s representation, but thought that the date of the conference was fixed for September 30th. In that case it would be necessary for our delegate or delegates to leave the Dominion either in the middle or towards the end of August. If Sir Joseph Ward’s health permits, he will, in the ordinary course of events, attend the Imperial Conference in his capacity as Prime Minister of the Dominion. Sir Joseph, as Prime Minister, attended the Imperial Conferences in London in 1907 and 1911, and was associated with the late Mr Massey in the representation of the Dominion at the Imperial and other conferences held during the war. With Mr Massey he was also made a member of the Imperial War Cabinet. If he is able to attend the conference in September he will be the only Premier who will be able to claim the distinction of having attended the conferences held prior to and up to the close of the war. But Sir Joseph Ward’s present state of health suggests that he may not be able to stand the strain and responsibility attached to his attendance at the conference, at which vitally important matters are to be discussed and important decisions are likely to be arrived at. Conditions have changed materially since the 1926 conference was held. A Labour Socialist Government is now in control of British affairs, and the outlook for what may be termed Imperial politics, or Imperialism, as our friends of the" Labour Party term it, is not nearly so favourable as it was under the Baldwin regime. There is a looseness in such matters, particularly as they affect the government of India and the Singapore base, which is not working for the good of the Empire. The work of the 1923 Imperial Conference w r as, moreover, largely shelved, or ignored by the Labour Socialist Government which held office in 1924, and it is imperative, in the interests not only of this Dominion but of the sister Dominions, that a definite

understanding should be arrived at for carrying out the decisions of the conference, subject, of course, to the sanction of the several Parliaments concerned.

THE REPRESENTATION QUESTION.

If Sir Joseph Ward is unable to attend the conference. New Zealand should not remain unrepresented. The political situation is obscure. Even if his health permitted of his proceeding to London, Sir Joseph might feel that it was his duty to the party of which he is the leader to remain in the Dominion, unless a truce can be arranged between the three political parties which are more or less in conflict. The interests at stake are such that, no mere party considerations should be allowed to interfere with the proper representation of the Dominion at the conference, and we believe the public generally would resent any action taken by either the Reform or Labour parties to prevent Sir Joseph Ward-while holding office as Prime Minister —leaving for London and taking part in the deliberations of the conference,_ if his health permits of his doing so. The Prime Minister is apparently prepared to leave the matter in abeyance for the time being. He has stated that he sees no reason why Parliament should be called together before the usual time, and it is possible that he is hopeful that the treatment he is receiving at Rotorua, and to which his health is reported to be “responding” may result in the restoration of his health. In that case he would be able to attend the conference. But, under all the circumstances, Sir Joseph would be well advised to arrange for Parliament to reassemble early in May so that a three months’ session could be held, in which non-contentious legislation could be undertaken and supply obtained for the carrying on of the essential services of the country. It is very improbable that the Leader of the Opposition would seek to bring about a political crisis which would necessitate an appeal to the country. Mr Coates is too well seized of the importance of the country being represented at the Imperial Conference to raise any obstacle in the way of the Prime Minister’s attendance there, and we believe he would readily assent to any measure that would permit of Sir Joseph Ward proceeding thither. What Mr Holland, the Labour leader, might do, we cannot pretend to say; but, with the exercise of a little common sense, and that friendly understanding which should prevail between political parties, the Government and Reform supporters in the House should be able to hold in check action on the part of the Labour Party which might result in a political crisis. The more serious aspect of the business is what the Government proposes to do in the possible event of Sir Joseph Ward’s medical advisers refusing to accept the responsibility for his attendance at the conference. Who is there in the United Party with the knowledge and experience of Imperial politics who can fittingly take his place? Had the suggestion made by the “Standard” on more than one occasion been adopted—that to ensure continuity of policy the Leader of the Opposition should be associated with the Prime Minister and that both should attend as the Dominion representatives at the Imperial Conferences—it would be open for one of Sir Joseph Ward’s colleagues to attend in company with Mr Coates, and (party politics playing no part in Imperial affairs so far as this Dominion is concerned) Mr Coates, with his experience of the 1926 conference, would be of valuable assistance to Sir Joseph’s deputy and would help to uphold the credit and prestige of the Dominion.