CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18629, 9 February 1924, Page 8

CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS.

A development as interesting as it is important has followed the change of Government in Britain. The resolutions of the Imperial Conference are to be submitted to a free vote of Parliament being moved from the Government benches; and the Government will accept the verdict so returned. The first feature of this new procedure is the degree in which it lifts the Imperial Conference . and Empire affairs above party. The prestige of the Conference has' been enhanced as never before. A precedent for dealing with such business in similar circumstances, applicable all over the Empire, is being established. The whole work of the Conference is being offered for full Parliamentary discussion, not simply that part which takes legislative shape. This might well be accepted as a precedent for all future occasions, not only in Britain but in the Dominions. All the resolutions, as resolutions, could with advantage be presented to each Parliament concerned for examination, acceptance or rejection. After that, the Government of the day would prepare any necessary legislation. Conference business would thus be saved from immurement in official pigeon-holes. From whatever angle it is viewed, this new method of adjudicating upon the decisions of the 1923 Conference is full of interest to those who believe in Empire co-operation, and wish to see more results achieved by the periodic Imperial Conferences.