THE PROBLEM OF EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17845, 28 July 1921, Page 6

THE PROBLEM OF EMPIRE.

Exceptional attention appears to have been directed to the latest speech delivered by Mr. Massey in England. The reason is not far to seek. It was the speech of an earnest Empire - builder, as Mr. Massey's speeches always are, and it touched the outstanding problem of Empire government, of which, at the end of a notable conference, we are still seeking a solution. Mr. Massey laid emphasis on the importance of getting the distant countries of the Empire together and reconciling conflicting interests so that all could speak with one voice and act as one nation. It was hoped that the conference now closing would make a great step forward in this direction. Possibly more has been done than the public reports convey, but if the results can be judged by these reports the progress toward unity was not marked. Even on the vital question of naval defence, so seriously referred to by Mr. Massey, Canada and South Africa were out of touch with the other States of the Empire, and on the renewal of the AngloJapanese Treaty Canada could not be persuaded to accept the view strongly held by the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. It cannot be inferred from these instances that the conference has in any sense been a disappointment, but it is fairly. clear that we have still a long way to go before we evolve that smooth-working consultative machinery which will strengthen the foreign policy of the Empire and at the %ame time give the Overseas Dominions a real share in the direction of such policy. That is the work of the next Empire Conference, • when constitutional questions come up for discussion. The inference from Mr. Massey's speech is that whatever the present conference has done it has not enabled the Empire to speak with one voice.