UNITY OF THE EMPIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19303, 16 April 1926, Page 11

UNITY OF THE EMPIRE.

DEALING WITH EXIGENCIES.

UNDERSTANDING ESSENTIAL. IRISH MINISTER'S OPINIONS. By Telezraph—Press Association- Copy rieht. (Received 7.5 p.m.) Renter. OTTAWA. April 14. Professor Smiddy, Irish Free State Minister to Washington, addressed the Canadian Club at Ottawa. He said the best minds in Britain were opposed to the laying down of any definite bounds to restrict tho evolution of the British Empire. Just as the British Constitution was not written, but was the result of development , so the relationships among the various portions of the Commonwealth of Nations should grow. They should meet exigencies as they arose and decide by conferences, mutual understandings and discussions what steps should bo taken. With each member-State of the Empire occupying the same position the question aroso as to whether this would affect the diplomatic unity of the Empire- If part of the Empire declined to participate in a war in which Britain was engaged, and if the enemy would only refrain from attacking that part on condition that it seceded from the Empire, what would be the result?

Professor Smiddy said he considered tho danger of such a situation arising would result in no question which might involve her in war being acted upon by Britain until there had been a complete understanding by joint deliberations in which each self-governing part of tho Empire would have an equal voice.

The speaker said ho foresaw the day when Die Empire would develop into a greater unity of nations.