IMPERIAL COUNCIL OR IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Free Lance, Volume XVI, Issue 871, 16 March 1917, Page 8

IMPERIAL COUNCIL OR IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Common Sense from "Sir„Jas. Allen. rip HAT was a specially - interesting "*- interview with Sir , James Allen, which the morning papers published last Monday. ■ Not only did the Minister give his own views on the question of how the political relationship of the Mother Country and the Over-Sea-Dominions can be placed on a much improved, more workable basis, but he" showed, us how men like Lord Milner, Lord Bryce, and others who.have carefully studied the problem of Imperial Federation regard, the difficulties which stand in the way. We are glad to see that Sir James does not favour what, is known as the Curtis scheme. ~. The weak point of that scheme ' was the power given to an Inrperial Parliament (to consist of representatives of Great Britain and all the various Dominions and Dependencies) to levy taxation on the Dominions and to ' collect revenue from the latter, if necessary by force. Imperial Federation, on the basis of population representation, may perhaps come in fifty years' time, but neither the Old Country nor the Dominions are ripe for it at present.

Sir James Allen wisely favours a'halfway house in the shape of an Imperial Council. So does Lord Bryce, hut the latter would have the Council as-an visory hody only, whereas, if we have grasped Sir James Allen's plan, that gentleman favours the Council being endowed with executive power. As to the Imperial Conference, which opens in London next week, Sir James is quite right when he says that-it cannot adequately deal with the Federation ques-

tion. Australia must be represented by two of its leading statesmen, and another Conference will have to be held: later on. Meanwhile;we are glad, to v see that Sir James is clearly anxious that no scheme of federation shall be adopted under . which, the Dominion would be subject to fiscal orders issued from London. This view, we have it on good authority, is also held by both "Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph. ' ■•■-'■,■'