WAR CONFERENCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9614, 21 March 1917, Page 5

WAR CONFERENCE

EULOGY OF DOMINIONS SHAPING OF EMPIRE’S FOREIGN POLICY. United Press Association— Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, LONDON, March 19. The “Manchester Guardian” has published an E-mpirc Supplement in connection with the first meeting of the Imperial Mar Conference. In tho leading article, discussing Empire unity, it says; The war has shown that the Dominions, in substance if not in form, are subject to immense liabilities without a corresponding control. They aided tho war spontaneously, and would probably do it again in like circumstances: but in the light of past experiences they ought not to be asked to do so without consultation or being fully informed on the policy leading to the catastrophe in which their help is sought. They must take a real part in shaping the foreign policy of the Empire and organising itg defence. The Dominions are more democratic than the Motherland, and want the freedom of their development. LLOYD GEORGE ON POLITICAI4 AND FISCAL AUTONOMY.

Mr Lloyd George writes in the issue: “The Imperial Cabinet felt that it was imperative that the whole Empire should assist in arriving at certain impending decisions regarding war and peace which must be of decisive importance to the future of all the peoples of thy Empire. Yet these meetings are merely evidence of the still greater changes war will produce in inter-imperial relations, the full nature of which will not be apparent. and the consequences cannot be dealt with until after the war- As long as they enjoyed this within the Imperial pale they were content, but they would not accept a unity which would thwart the characteristic natural development. Any unification threatening the autonomous national life of Motherland or Dominion would defeat itself. Political autonomy must carry with it fiscal autonomy.” Air Lloyd Georg© suggests that if the Foreign Secretary became a member of the Imperial Council, this would give the Empire representatives greater authority over the Foreign Secretary than even the House of Commons exercises, if the representatives expressed dissatisfaction with his policy it would be as effective as any constitutional power under a more formal arrangement. A WORD FROM MB MASSEY.

Air Alassey writes: “Wo have wasted our national strength for over half a century in allowing hundreds of thousands of emigrants to go to countries outside th© Empire. We should now encourage our own people to occupy the Empire's unoccupied lands. In matters of trade, also, we had seemingly considered ©very country’s interests hut our own.”

MESOPOTAMIA STEADY PROGRESS REPORTED. High Commissioner’s Cable. LONDON, AXarch 19, 8.35 p.m. In Mesopotamia, during the night of the 17th, we crossed the Dialtt, occupying the village of Bahriz and part of the town of Bakubah. on the left hank of the river, the enemy retiring hastily towards Kahnikin. Bakubah is a good supply centre and the inhabitants are friendly and ready to trade. REGENT DESTROYER RAID ADAIIRALTY OFFICIAL REPORT. By Telecraph —Prpsi Association— Copyrlebi Ans. and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Renter. (Received Alarch 20, 6.25 p.m.) LONDON, March 19. The Admiralty reports that enemy destroyers shelled undefended Ramsgate on the night of the 17th, and hurriedly escaped in the darkness. It was impossible to ascertain the damage inflicted on them. The enemy engaged and torpedoed one of our destroyers eastward of Dover. She returned the fire, but with what result is unknown. There are eight survivors, and all the officers were drowned. A second British destroyer was torpedoed while picking up the survivors, hut was not seriously damaged. A British merchantman was also torpedoed and sunk. THE GERMAN REPORT. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received Alarch 21, 12.50 a.m.) LONDON, March 20. A Berlin official report says: —“One of our naval aeroplanes on Saturday afternoon bombed the harbour and gasworks at Dover. “Our naval forces on Saturday night again broke into the Strait of Dover and the mouth of the Thames. They sank an enemy destroyer, inflicted heavy damage on another, and sank a merchant ship of 1500 tons near the North Foreland by gunfire. They also sank two enemy guardships.” IN THE EVENT OF WAR GERMAN SHIPS PREPARED TO DASH PROM U.S. PORTS. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. WASHINGTON. Alarch 19. Tb© State Department has been informed that eleven German ships at Sanasailia, California, are ready to dash to sea in the event of war being declared between th© United States and Germany. ITALIANJjAMPAIGN AIR SQUADRONS AT WORK. ::y Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrlfbi Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn, and Renter. (Received Alarch 20, 11.45 p.m.) ROME, Alarch 19. Official; A Franco-Italian air squadron bombarded Pola. A number of enemy aeroplanes bombed Grade, doing slight damage. The Italians retaliated, bombing the Lloyd yards at Trieste.