THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1926. AN IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19230, 20 January 1926, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1926. AN IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Speculation regarding an Imperial Conference this year will receive a fillip by the terms in which Mr. Coates announced his Cabinet changes, effected and contemplated. He has in mind a form of organisation which will leave him free to devote to the m'ajor questions of Imperial policy the attention they deserve but from necessity have not always had. How soon he can carry out his purpose is at present a little uncertain, but judging from the signs recently observable he will probably be asked quite definitely to visit London for a conference before the end of this year. The occasion might very well mark the • inauguration of his new system. Even with his majority and his assured position as leader, it would not be easy for him to drop everything to go if he had no well-planned method of carrying on business already in mind. If he sets about instituting the new order, if, as the Herald has already suggested, Parliament meets early this year, he may then be able to do good work in the domestic field, be ready , to fall in with the probable British proposal for a meeting about October, and leave the country without causing any curtailment of the Parliamentary programme or an abrupt termination of the session. Mr. Coates and Mr. Bruce are better placed in this regard than the Prime Minister of either Canada or South Africa. In Canada the political situation is such that many things, including a new. election, may happen before* the end of the year. South Africa is in a more stable condition, but a loosely-knit coalition is in power there. In the circumstances General Hertzog may not find it especially easy to be, absent from the country for an extended period. But difficulties are always raised when there are proposals for an Imperial Conference. They are the natural result of the geography of the Empire. , Experience shows they can usually be overcome when real need for consultation iB proved. There are many circumstances making a meeting desirable very soon. Three issues, Empire trade, disarmament and defence, have been described as ripe for discussion. Economic questions were given special attention last time a conference met. A series of resolutions accepted as of high potential value by those who believe in the ideal of a self-supporting Empire were carried. Circumstances combined to defer their practical expression by Britain. Their full effect seemed destined to be lost. Of late some of the things it was proposed to do have been attempted, but the lapse of timp makes it desirable that the question should again be reviewed in a comprehensive manner with all parties present. It has been saic| that a great wave of sentiment in favour of looking to the Empire rather than to foreign countries for economic rehabilitation is running in Britain. Reciprocal action to further it is the natural sequel. Yet a commentator as sympathetic - to the cause as anyone imaginably could be has said that the old problem remains, that of giving preference to the Dominions without at the same time taxing food. If united counsel can overcome it, then the sooner wisdom is pooled the better. There are the other possi bilities of concerted action for the better utilisation of capital and man-power which merit discussion Disarmament and naval defence have been indicated as subjects for consideration by the Empire as a whole. While proposals for further disarmament conferences are still in the tentative stage, there is the possibility of their development before long. Though representatives

of the Empire would probably attend as they did at Washington, it would be very desirable for a commonplan to be devised beforehand., The de fence needs of the British Empire are unique in the world. It can be claimed broadly that no nation or association of nations could be more desirous of peace and reduction o* armaments, but it is easily possible* that proposals which meant little to other nations might mean the sacrifice of something vital by the Em pire. It is well, therefore, that all possibilities should be considered as part of a common plan. Material for a conference begins to emerge before the most thorny subject, that of foreign policy, has been considered at all.

By general agreement the Locarno Pacts embody the most important event in the foreign field since the last conference ended. It has been specifically provided that no Dominion shall be held as bound by these agreements unless it signifies its adherence to them. There has been a mass of discussion about the reservation, and its probable effect should Britain be called upon to fulfil her obligations. It is a point of great interest, but there are other possibilities of heavier weight. Britain has embarked upon a certain policy from which the Dominions are definitely dissociated unless they choose to come in after the event. The question immediately raised is whether isolated action in this one direction is to be a precedent. Hitherto it has been assumed that the Empire must have a common foreign policy, arrived at. after continuous consultation between its component parts. Here is an instance where it seems that a policy move has been made by Great Britain alone. If then the foreign policy of the British Government is to become solely that of Great Britain, are the Dominions to shape policies of their own 1 ? Even refusal to contract into the Locarno agreements would be a step in that direction. Serious commentators, enthusiasts for the Empire, have suggested that unless properly handled, the situation caused by Locarno may be the parting of the ways. If that is so, the desirability of an early conference, fully representative in character, needs no emphasising. It is possibly some such idea which has caused the British Government to move for the summoning of the Prime Ministers of the Empire this year.. In the circumstances, it is sincerely to be hoped that it can be arranged, and that all the Dominions will send their delegates. The representation of New Zealand by her Prime Minister will be an essential, and in that event it is none too soon for taking steps to make it possible.