EMPIRE ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8189, 2 August 1912, Page 1

EMPIRE ASSOCIATION.

FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS. EXCHANGE OF HOSPITALITY. NEAV ZEALAND REPRESENTATION. As an outcome of tho Coronation festivities in London last year, and the presence of many Parliamentarians from the self-governing dominions of the Empire, there was established in London an Empire Parliamentary Association. The function of this body was "to provide more ready exchange of information and to facilitate closer understanding anti more frequent intercourse between those engaged in the parliamentary government of the component parts of the Empire.” Giving to tho fact that through the invitations not being received in time, the New Zealand Parliament was not represented among the delegates who were •invited to attend the Coronation as the guests of the committee, and no representatives were appointed to act in the formation of a branch of the "Empire Parliamentary Association” in New Zealand.

From the secretary of the association (Air Howard D’Egville) now come overtures for permanent representation of the New Zealand Legislature on the committee of the association, and the proposals are to bo considered by members of both Houses at a meeting an the Joint Committee room at 11 a.m. to-day. Copies of letters received from the •secretary have been furnished to members of both Houses, and they show that after consultation between the Lords and Commons committee (1911) for entertaining representatives of the Dominion Parliaments, it was resolved au organisation should be formed upon strictly non-party lines, having a branch ■in the United Kingdom and in each of the self-governing dominions of the Empire, under the title of "Empire Parliamentary, Asociation.” . OBJECTS. The objects of the association will he to provide for its members in the various Parliaments: — Introductions and hospitality. Travel facilities. Special information. Aleotings amongst members of the association for the discussion of matters of mutual interest. Parliamentary privileges. General facilities for intercourse. Pending the appointment of permanent committees, various gentlemen are appointed to act for Canada, Australia, South Africa and Newfoundland. Though New Zealand was, not officially represented amongst the delegates, two gentlemen who were in England in private capacity, namely, the Hon. Alfred Baldey and Mr R. Heaton Rhodes; accepted the committee’s invitation to manv.of the functions. Neither of these gentlemen! however, was.present at“ the conference which formed the “Empire Parliamentary Association." The secretary hoped that• New ■ Zealand, through the’ unfortunate: circumstances attending the invitation, might not be excluded from participation in the scheme, which was being taken up ■so readily by tho other dominion'■Parliaments. ' . . Seine weighty names . are _ included iraong tho officers of the United Kingdom' branch, men like the Rt. Hon. H, H. Asquith (Prime Minister), the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Rosebery, K.G., the Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour, and the Et. Hon. Lewis Harcourt (Colonial Secretary) being vice-presidents, . The Rt, Hon. Earl Grey is chairman of the executive.