NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY. Registered for transmission through the post as a newspaper. THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1923. EMPIRE POLICY.

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1923, Page 4

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY. Registered for transmission through the post as a newspaper. THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1923. EMPIRE POLICY.

The Imperial Conference to be .held ' this year is aptly described by a, writer in the "Round Table" as being the j first "normal" conference held sinco 1911. All the gatherings that have been held in the interval have .been occupied with the .problems arising from the war and its aftermath, to the exclusion of matters solely concerning the Empire. In the years immediately preceding the war the Prime Ministers of the Empire had to deal with the situation created by the growing naval power of Germany. During the Avar their task was to provide for the effective organisation of the belligerent ! resources of the Empire.-' Since the ! war there has been /the necessary j "cleaning up." But the writer of the j article advances the view that the circumstances arc now entirely different. Defenee need no longer be the chief concern of the Imperial Conference. No doubt certain questions belonging to this categoiy. have still to be settled, such as those of the fortification of Singapore and of the part to be played by the various members of the Empire in the naval defence of the Pacific. But, for the time being at least, the security of the Empire is threatened by none. No one can tell what the future may bring forth, but at present the horizon is fairly clear. Germany and Russia are both out of action. The position in the East has been stabili. c |)d, and naval competition among the Pacific Powers has been Mmited by the Washington Agreement. In the opinion of this authority, "defence is no longer the primary prepccupaticn of the peoples of the Commonwealth in the Held of foreign affairs. '' This, however, does not imply that foreign policy has ceased to be important. On the contrary, it has become more important than aver, and it touches closely every individual constituent of the Empire. The economic problem? with which they bto all eon- | fronted have an intimate relation to international politics. Britain, moreover, has, on behalf of the Empire, to make rnQDi^ntou,' ji decisions, How can tho restoration of p&ace, order, and confidence in Europe best be achieved? Are the instruments, which have led ■to the Balkanisation of Europe calculated to help towards that end? If not, how can they be improved ? What is the proper role for Britain to aS 1 sume? Ought she to enter into Continental engagement'- or shtfilitl she, while aiding Europe to th\3 best of her abil- 1 ity, revert to hei* traditional policy of remaining alobf from the European politk&l nexus? Each and every coun-' try in the Empire \yill ; be vitally affected by the decisions on these and many other issues, ana therefore it is only reasonable that in determining the course to be followed the views of the Dominions should be taken into account. That Britain should be invested with the sole responsibility is unfair, both to her and to theni. This is not denied. It is universally recognised that the Dominions are entitled % to a voice in the formation of foreign policy. But the theoretical possession of a right and its actual exercise are not the same thing. Practical difficulties, of which distance is the greatest, have prevented the voice of the Dominions from being effective. No machinery for continuous consultation exist". While the Imperial Conference is sitting its members can receive information and exchange opinions. But, when it breaks up «:o satisfactory medium of communication is left. Foreign policy cannot be conducted according to schedule. Unforseen developments continually occur. The outlook may change from day to day and hour to hour, and in the upshot the Dominions may suddenly be confronted with on utterly unexpected situation. An example is furnished by Mr Lloyd George's famous appeal to the Dominions last year. Whether or no it was well advised is,.quite immaterial; at any rate, it'served its purpose as far as Turkey Was concerned. The point is that it came like a bolt from the blue. No one had dreamed that a crisis was imminent. Moreover, the

appeal mot with a rather mixed reception. The response of Australia and New Zealand was instaneous; that of Canada and Sout'i Africa w«s, to put it rnildlv, less unreserved There is a real danger that if tlu Dominion Governments do not. know what i« happening some future crisis may the Empire unawares, and find i 1 divided It is to be hoped thAt at this year's "normal'-' Imperial Conference the P'-'me Ministers will Tiavi time to devise plans for consultation within the Empire. The writer of the article in 100 Round .Table" advocates the adoption within the Empire of a "quasi-diplomatic system" which will be entirely dissociated from politics. But, whatever the ultimate solution may prove to be, it is highly desirable that a Way should be found of ending a state of affairs which by coivwnon con?ent is unsatisfactory.