IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9090, 8 July 1915, Page 3

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

ORGANISING THE EMPIRE A PROPOSAL EKVIVED AT HOME. The Eight Hon. A. Bonar Law, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and late leader of the Opposition in the United Kingdom, was one of the speakers at a great gathering in the Guildhall a few weeks ago. In tire course of his speech, which was received with enthusiasm by a meeting "representative of the public life of the Empire." Mr Bonar Law made reference to the future organisation of the Empire in tho following terms : I have now the hope that we shall gain something more as tho result of this war. The Dominions of the British Empire have not been created by the war. But the conditions have been changed by the war. It is my hope — and if it as taken up in earnest while tho metal is glowing red hot from the furnaces of war, 1 believe it may be

done-—that as a result of it we may soo a Parliament of the British Empire in which every part of that Empire in proportion to its resources and numbers will share in the duty and in tho honour of ruling the British Empire. (Cheers.)

The words of the British statesman are given special local interest by the fact that they show him to be a convert to the view which Sir Joseph Ward, then Prime Minister of New Zealand, expressed at the Imperial Conference in 1911. A motion moved by Sir Joseph Ward at that conference, and widely discussed at the time, was as follows : ■ That the Empire has now reached a stage of Imperial development which renders it expedient that there should bo an Imperial Council, of State, with representatives from ail tho self-gov-erning portions of the Empire, m theory and in fact advisory to tho Imperial Government on all questions a fleeting the interests of His Majesty s Dominions oversea.

Sir Joseph Ward discussed his proposal ;n some detail xu relation to the detence problems of the Empire - “New Zealand is, at present, concent to make an unconditional annual contribution of money to the Imperial Navy," he said. "As time proceeds, and as our means increase, we look forward to substantially increasing this aid; but . what X desire to impress at this moment is that if the whole of the oversea Dominions aro to place themselves under tribute* to the Imperial Treasury for the creation and maintenance of an Empire navy thev solely are entitled to . some voice—proportional, it may be, to their size and contribution — in such a vital question as peace or war. . . . . In this great concern of Imperial defence must there not be some kind of partnership between all parts of our .great Empire i* I hope it will not be regarded in any way as rudeness for, me to say that England, witnessing the magnificent growth in strength, wealth, and numbers of these oversea Dominions, will not forget that she does not, as in the earliest days of their existence, possess them. They are no longer Crown colonies. They create With her an Empire, and, allowing for powei; and numbers. they belong to that Empire just as she does. It is a family group of free nations. England is the first among the free nations, and changes during the last three-quarters of a century demand, in my opinion, that the old relation of ‘mother to infants* should cease. The day for partnership in true Imperial affairs has arrived, and the question which now emerges is, upon what basis is that partnership to, rest? It certainly cannot rest upon the'present relationship. No partnership deserves the name which dors not give to the. partners at leasf some voice in the most vital of the partnership concerns." The New Zealand Prime Minister explained that his idea was to bring into being a body that would be a real Imperial Parliament, containing representatives of all the self-governing States ol the Empire on a population basis, and an Imperial Council of. Defence, which would draw its authority from that Parliament. This council would control; 'I) Treaties, issues of peace and war, ami foreign l relations generally, and (2) Imperial defence and the provision of revenue for defence and diplomatic purnoses. It would' indicate to the several States the amount of their contributions and leave them to arrange the details of finance. Sir Joseph Ward made it clear that his proposals oh the subject of defence referred only to naval affairsland defence being regarded as a local responsibility subject to the necessary amount of co-ordination.

Mr and Mrs Hudson, Messrs J. Lyons, W. J. Cousins, Campbell, and Carr arrived bv the second Main Trunk express from Auckland yesterday. Mr John T. Pettigrew, local manager for Thomas Brown, Ltd,, will leave Wellington to-morrow for Christchurch. He vill he back here acain on Wednesday next. The visitors at Barrett’s Hotel include Mrs J. Duder (Auckland). Mr and Mrs W. Melhuish (Palmerston Noft If), Mrs R, Hall (Auckland), Mr N. Willoughby (Levin), Mr and Mrs Everard (Napier). Mr I) Thompson. (Masterton), Mr W. Platt and Mr H. Death (Auckland).

Outward passengers by the Main Trunk expresses yesterday included Mr and Mrs Holmes, Mr and Mrs Roberts, Mr and Mrs Kellard, Messrs Fisher, Burnett Ludlow, Armstrong, Stafford, Fielding, ’Borugh. Bramwell, Spaceman, Saunders, Shaffer, Reid, and McKay. Private E. H Hooper, reported as killed in action whilst with the Austialiaus, was well ii own throighout Hawke’s Bay as auctioneer to the Hawke e Bay Farmers’ Co-operative Compiny- Deceased at one time acted as stock agent at Wairoa pud othei places m the district. The many friends of Mr L. J. Lohr, the well-known ex-t boat, ideal manager, will be pleased to know that he has suiucicntly recovered from a very 7 long and painful illness in -Melbourne to .take a trip in New Zealand. It is Mr Lohr s intention to leave Sydney (where he is at present the guest of Mr Edwin Gcach) for Auckland by the Niagara to-day. and to proceed to Rotorua, -where he purposes to remain tor some considerable time.

A correspondent writes:—By a sad coincidence the mail news published In the morning papers of the fith inst. giving particulars regarding the Distinguished Conduct Medal won by LanceCorporal Wilfred Singleton at the Dardanelles, also announced in the casualty list his death from wounds. Corporal Singleton left with the Main Expeditionary Force as a member of the Ambulance Corps. lie was a young man of great height and fine physique generally—well capable of, such feats as carry ing wounded men out of action. He came out bo New Zealand from London about five* years ago, and had been mainly engaged in farming and dai ry factory work, although prior to joining the forces he held a position as attendant at Porirua Mental Hospital. His sterling character had endeared him to many friends in the Dominion.

Nurses to the number of ten arrived at the Trentham hospital yesterday morning and were met by Dr Valintine and the matron. The nurses are from Canterbury, and have volunteered their services.

• That never-failing cough and cold remedy—“NAZOL"—is specially good for children. Wise mothers keep it handy. Most economical! GO doses. Is 6d.