EMPIRE AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8191, 5 August 1912, Page 8

EMPIRE AFFAIRS.

CO-OPERATION NEEDED UNIONIST LEADER. URGES IMPORTANCE OF TARIFF REFORM. WHAT CANADA WILL DO. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Received August -I, 5,5 p.m.) LONDON, August 3. The members of the (.ali;uil.'u' ,\li nistly now .in London were entertained at a gal boring at the Carlton Club last evenlU!>(r Donnr Law, leader of tho Un’oniat nartv, in proposing the toast of “Lur liue&U,” said Motherland's guests had -irueii in tit-* Detanre (.'o’ifn'jtteo-s rlell-br-ration-i. They were well aware that tho situation, wan serious, but pressure from without tended to weld tho parts of '.ho Empire <;liter. DEPENDENCE ON OVERSEA RESOURCES. Germany’s growth in the laet genera, tion, in population, wealth and newer, ,'ontraotcd with that of the United Kingdom, showed that if Briton.; hail relied on the resources of these island; alone tho time would soon come when it would be imiKissiblc to bear the burden of maintaining that supremo Navy, which wa« necessary to the* national existence. Hut tho British Empire contained fnr greater resources than any other. 1 here must, however, lie co-operation witiun the Umpire, both in war and in time ot peace; therefore the Unionists advocated Imperial preference. That, unfortunately, vas a party question in the Motherland; but it was not so in Canada and the other pelf-gcvcrning dominions. Every .Premier of those Dominions, representing all parlies, at Ihe Imperial Conferences had urged the Motherland to adopt the principle that would enable one portion of the Empire to treat tho other portions on fetter terms than the rest of the vcr.d. The bulk of tho people in the Motherland looked lor an Imperial Parliament to share the responsibility—and the glory of governing the Empire.. That was a consummation not fur distant, be believed. CANADA AND PREFERENCE. Air R. L. Borden. Prime Minister of Canada, responding, said tho Dominions were prepared to share the work of securely building tho Empire together, thus to preserve a groat force in the cause of humanity, justice, and peace throughout the world. Canadians were jealous of their own fiscal independence, and they did not presume to interfere or make suggestions regarding the domestic fiscal concerns of any other part of tho Empii'oj but. subject to that qualification, Canadians always held the ideal of the commercial co-operation of all parts of the Empire. Mr Borden said that his colleagues and ho himself hoped shortly to announce tho result of their deliberations, in a manner making for the strengthening of the Empire and the advancement of Air Bonar Law's great ideal of the organisation of all its parts. SETTLE TEEMS OF PARTNERSHIP. Air J. D. Hazcn, Canadian Minister for Marine, speaking at the National Liberal Club, said the time was coming when tho terms of partnership must be fettled if the integrity of the Empire was to be preserved. If Canada was to continue a part of the Empire she should have a voice .in the control of the Emniro and its foreign affairs. It was. ho said, the duty of statesmen in Great Britain and the Dominions to call a conclave to work out the terms of partnership whereby the daughters would have an equal share in the management of tho mother's household with tho mother. POLITICIANS TO VISIT CANADA. Air Asquith, Prime Minister, is unable to accompany Mr Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, to Canada; but' Mr Lewis Harcourt, Secretary of State for tho Colonies, and Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, have been invited to make the trip. A number of members of the House of Commoners will also pay a visit to the Dominion, in an unofficial capacity, during the recess, in connection with the Navy question. SOUTH AFRICA’S CONTRIBUTION. Sir David P. de Villiers Graaf, South African Minister for Public Works and Posts and Telegraphs, interviewed .prior to his departure for Capetown, said he had no doubt- South. Africa’s naval contribution would be increased. AN ALL-RED NAVAL LOAN. The “Spectator” (Unionist) suggests that, in order to place Britain's sea defence on a sound footing a large Navy loan should bo raised under the joint guarantee of Great Britain and the oversea Dominions.