IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. LOYALTY OF THE EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16619, 16 August 1917, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

LOYALTY OF THE EMPIRE.

MR. W. LONG'S REVIEW. IMPERIAL PREFERENCE POLICY Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 14. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Walter Long, Secretary of State for the Colonies, said that' the overseas representatives to the Imperial War Conference had frequently expressed the hope that the resolutions passed would not be pigeon-holed. He assured them that ho would do his , best to ensure that effect be given to them as early as possible. Referring to Imperial preference, Mr. Long said that obviously any policy of preference must be framed to meet the views of the allies. The subject demanded continued consideration. The appointment by the Prime Minister of a conference to report on the best methods and machinery by which effect could be given to the resolutions of the Imperial Conference was evidence of ,the Government's intention to take all steps it could to give effect to them. ! ' The result of the conference would be ' to strengthen the Empire in prosecuting the war and help in taking steps after the war to reap the full advantage of the lessons learned in order to make the Empire more strong and powerful than before the war. Every overseas Minister showed a strong desire to promote the interests of the Empire. What they really desired was that he should realise strongly ' .heir feeling, and that it did not originate in a desire for increased territory or any question of that kind. Their desire was that after the war there should be permanent oeace in the world and security for the Empire. The knowledge of past efforts of the Dominions and the experience gained at the Imperial War Conference showed that the whole Empire j was one and was prepared to use its i resources to make a combined effort to secure final and complete victory.

DOMINIONS AND COLONIES. MR. WALTER LONG'S TRIBUTE(Reed. 9.20 p.m.) Renter. LONDON, August 14. Speaking in the House of Commons on the Colonial Office vote, Mr. Walter Long, Secretary of State for the Colonies, paid a tribute to the part played by the Dominions in the war. He said Dominion soldiers had shown themselves worthy of the best traditions of the British Army. He was constantly receiving proofs of the admiration of the native races for Britain and their loyalty to the King. He read messages from British East Africa, India and Zanzibar, and said that the loyalty and trust of the natives should be encouraged and justified by Britain's future treatment of natives.