IMPERIAL UNITY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4318, 29 March 1901, Page 4

IMPERIAL UNITY.

It is satisfactory to learn,' on. the authority of, tho Right Hon Joseph Chamberlain, that there is absolutely no foundation for the report that tho Imperial authorities contemplated handing over British interests in the New Hebrides to France, in return for tho french Government relinquishing its Newfoundland, shore, rights. On bohalf of Austx-alia and Hew Zealand Mr Barton’s protest and remonstrance are, nevertheless, necessary and opportune. On such a question as this, the policy of the Commonwealth ism unison with that of this country. Wo, toe, desire to see such stops taken as will prevent foreign countries possessing any of the islands adjadetat- - to :6ur- shores, and

menacing the tranquillity'of the southern seas. So long as' existing counsels prevail at Home,- we may , expect the wishes and interests of'the Common-j wealth and New Zealand to bo respected. But,' the raising of this and- other questions affecting the future wellbeing'' of the British people in the Pacific, only emphasises the need there is for the creation of an - Imperial' Conference representative, at Westminster of the outlying parts of the Empire. When the colonial Premiers wore in London on the-occasion of the Victorian Jubilee,' the Imperial Govern-

ment carefully avoided suggesting anything in the nature of a formal conference of representatives of the colonies, though it professed itself desirous of having views exchanged on many matters of Imperia} interest. It was then clearly pointed out that if the colonies wished to share in expeditionsin which, the British Army might be engaged, there was no reason why they should not do so. The colonies have acted on that suggestion. They have given the - flower of their manhood to aid in, repelling an invasion of British territory; The Imperial Government; has appreoiateid these sacrifices, and it is'now a fitting time to claim that the colonies should be heard in an Imperial Council upon matters that immediately affect the well-being of those

parts of tho King’s' dominions in their neighbourhood. Territorial questions, together with those affecting defence and commercial relations, arc subjects upon which colonial statesmen’s opinions ought, to be ■ solicited and heard. If there is to ho a sound basis for a truly national organisation of defence, and if an Imperial Customs Union is to be formed, an Imperial Council must be creak'd. Among all classes of politicians ' cessity for the consideration cf this ■subject is acknowledged. The Duke of Devonshire, bettor known as the Marquis of Hartington, recently observed that “to an increasing degree men of all classes have come to think that colonial expansion is an element, if not a necessity, of tho continued; prosperity of Great Britain.” Experience has taught the British manufacturer that

all .nations are v.ot so free to trade with him. a* Cob den. and Bright had optimistically hoped. Even extensive trade relations cannot secure the friendship and goodwill of foreign nations. So, the Liberals at Homo are realising that if Great Britain and her colonies are to be prosperous, respected and free, they-must stand together, and in the way -of trade, mutually supply each other with the t elemeats of strength. Wo are no longer regarded as a burden to the Empire. There is no disposition now .'to “cut the painter” on our side, or on that of the Mother Country. Mother and daughters, while each supreme in their own houses, may well sit together in consultation upon , such matters as have been, indicated. ; Questions affecting the relations of the • colonies with each other, with Great ' Britain, and with other nations, must from time to time arise, and they can- 3 •... -a—

not bo dealt with by the Imperial Parliament with sympathy and knowledge and satisfactorily settled- If- toe Empire’s several parts are to be more closely knit together, the establishment of -ui Imperial Council, on which every part shall have due representation, is an absolute necessity.