THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 21 April 1911, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

IMPERIAL FEDERATION-

NEW ZEALAND'S PROPOSALS.

THE NAVAL POLICY.

Press Association.—Copyright. LONDO-v Thurs

In the House o-f Omnmons the Hon. W. E. Guinness 1 ' motion in favour of adding a discussion of the international situation to the Imperial Gorvfeirence agenda paper was withdrawn after Mr. Harcourt (Secretary for the Colonies) had .promised not to withhold any information tlie Prime Ministers desired to have.

Mr. Guinness welcomed the New Zealand's advisory council proposal as a real step in the direction of federation. He doubted if the High Gojumisscoiners were sufficiently closely in touch with colonial opinion. The Hon. W. Ormsby Gore said that before Australia'* resolution regarding naval co-operation, and the sta.tus of the dominion navies was discussed, Sid Ed. Grey (Foreign Secretary) should instruct the Premiers in tlie relation between- Britain's naval policy and foreign policy.

Mr. E. Craw-shay Williams urged that the existing secretariat s.h,ouid be developed tio a pernmne.nl representative advisory council.

Mr. Lytteiton declared that almost the whole, strength of the Navy was concentrated at home, and oont.in'gan.e.lesi im the Far East might maikie it ne-cesr-ary to oidd a- great many battleships in oa'deir to .protect the Pacific. It was noteworthy that neither Canada, Australia, nor New Zealand would lUHtartake- to join in. all British wars. Mr. Ha.rcou.rt. Secretary of State for the Colonies, said 1 it had always been the Government's intention to take the Prime. Ministers into eoiisnlta.t.ion on matters of great Imperial concern. The Government would proffer information on a condition of absolute- secrecy. The Premiers would also be asked to attend the sittings of the Imperial Defence. C^n^mittee. (Received April 21. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Thursday. Mr Guinness, speaking in tk-a House of Commons, said that had the Colonial Office been more closely in touch with the oversea-s dominions.' opinion, it might have secured their representation on the International Prize Courts. Mr MeKimion Wood, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, said that reflection would have shown Mr Guinness that it was hardly likely that foreign nations would grant Britain rive or six votes at the Court. j i