THREE YEARS AGO AND NOW

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 October 1926, Page 4

THREE YEARS AGO AND NOW

IT does not seem that the personnel of this year's Imperial Conference differs as much as might be expected from that held three years ago. Then the principal members were Mr Stanley Baldwin (Britain), Mr Mackenzie King (Canada), Mr Stanley M. Bruce (Australia), Lord Curyou (British foreign Secretary),. Lord Salisburv (Lord President of the Council). Mr William Massey (New Zealand), General Smuts (South Africa), the. Duke of Devonshire (Colonial Secretary), Mr W. R. Warren (Newfoundland), Professor Mae Neil and Mr Desmond Fitzgerald (Irish Free State). Lord Peel and dm Maharajah of Aiwa (India). To day we mourn the loss of William Massey. Lord Curzon ton is dead. General Smuts's place at the Conference will be taken by General Ilertzog. But, op the whole, it is evident that the cornposilion of the Conference about to he held will strongly resemble Hint of the Conference held three years ago-. That is ali to the good. The principal members already know one another. Sir Austen Chamberlain will attend as Foreign Secretary: Colonel Amcry, as Minister for the Dominions.

The agenda, three years ago, was not very important. To-day it is most important. since it. includes the vital questions of migration and intercommunica-

tions. It is to be rioted that the vexed question of the Dominions’ international status is not on the agenda. It is to be hoped it will not be brought forward. But jf it is, it is clear that the British Government will propound a formula which, if it is debated, will probably be adopted bv the majority of the delegates. It is hoped arid expected that the Conference will do much to improve interEmpire relationships and to pro,lo6to prosperity throughout the Empire.