UNITY OF THE EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16582, 4 July 1917, Page 6

UNITY OF THE EMPIRE.

AFTER-WAR REORGANISATION OVERSEAS representation. [B? TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORBESiPONDEKT.] , WELLINGTON, Tuesday. In tho course of his statement to the House to-day, the Prima Minister referred to the deliberations of the War Conference in England on the subject of Empire reorganisation after the war. Mr. Massey said that the conference had not dealt with the subject in the ordinary way. They had the subject up for discussion, but the conference was unanimously of opinion that while a great deal was necessary, it was impossible to _do justice to the question in the war period, and it was therefore agreed that a special conference should be convened, representative, of every country in the Empire, to consider anything that might be necessary. When the motion to this effect was under discussion, Mr. Massey said he had expressed the opinion that the conference should be made much more representative than had ever been attempted before. These questions were apt to be dealt with as party matters, and such great Imperial questions should be kept above party. He was of opinion that at the conference should be present, in addition to the Prime Ministers, the Leaders of every constitutional Opposition in every Parliament of the Empire. This wouid allow every side to be represented, and there could bo no party criticism of the results of the conference.

Whatever might be done in the future for the better organisation of the Empire, he hoped that nothing would be done to interfere with the autonomy of the Overseas Dominions. Any interference with our rights and privileges would more likely tend to disintegration than to unity of the Empire. Before the war very little had _ been heard of the representation of the Dominions. To-day the question wag in the mouth /of every British citizen. It was acknowledged that the Dominions should have a voice i n Imperial foreign policyThis was the feeling of the Government, the Parliament and the people of Britain. Proceeding, he said that New Zealand had more to fear from the rashness and impetuosity of some of the men who, with the best of good intentions, were interesting themselves in the matter than from, any desire on the part of the British people to bolt and bar the door against them. They must proceed slowly, for any false step would be dangerous to the movement. He was utterly opposed to any alteration which would allow the Dominion's financed to be dealt with by any Parliament jutside of this country. Money would bo required for Imperial purposes, and every country of the EmJ ire would find its share, but the final decision of this question must rest with the Parliament of the part of the Empire finding the money. The time would come when there would be an institution representative of the whole of the Empire. He could not say what form it would take, hut he did say that a most important advantage had been made, and ho believed that the final result would be satisfactory to tho people of this country.