EMPIRE IN COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18346, 12 March 1923, Page 7

EMPIRE IN COUNCIL.

NEW PLAN SUGGESTED. ECONOMIC MEETING FIRST. FINANCE MINISTERS ONLY. PREMIERS NEXT YEAR. By Telegraph-Press Association— Copyright. (Received 4.5 p.m.) A. end N.Z. LONDON. March 9. The Colonial Office is still without communications from the Dominions definitely agreeing to the suggested date of the Economic and Imperial Conferences between September and November, although Australia and New Zealand communications imply concurrence. The Australian and New Zealand Press Association is authoritatively informed that opinion is growing that the Imperial Conference may possibly be postponed until next year owing to the apparent impracticability of a full attendance of Prime Ministers this year. A high authority pointed out that Mr, Bonar Law's original proposal contemplated an economic conference independently of the Imperial Conference. Mr. Bonar Law attaches supreme importance to an economic, conference, notably in relation to inter-Imperial communications, transport and Imperial preference. It is unofficially suggested that the Dominions might send their Finance Ministers and experts to the Economic Conference, the recommendations of which would come before the Imperial Conference next year, thereby obviating the attendance of Prime Ministers this year.