UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION ARISES

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12559, 23 September 1926, Page 11

UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION ARISES

(Sydney “Sun” Cable.) (Received September 22, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, September 21. The possibility, however remote, of Canada’s absence from the Imperial Conference has aroused discussion of a delicate constitutional question. Even Downing Street is uncertain whether the Conference can legitimately be held in such circumstances. It is stated authoritatively that the constitutional aspect, if it arose, would be a matter for consultation between the Dominions Office and the Dominion* concerned, and later for discussion with the Prime Ministers who attend the Conference, with . a view to a mutual settlement. ' A precedent does not exist to deal with the situation, which apparently was not contemplated' by those who. framed the resolution in 1907, initiating Imperial Conferences. Canada’* London office has cabled Ottawa for information.

DIFFICULTY MAY BE OVERCOME IF MR KING SENDS DEPUTIES

Tho Dominions Office anticipates that tho position will be clarified in a few diys, and points out that though Mr Mackenzie King himself may not he able to attend, owing to the Parliamentary situation, there is nothing to prevent the sending of deputies where exceptional circumstances arise. Mr King, in a message to the “Daily News,” says: “So long as the present Government remains in office I prefer to make no statement whatever regarding the Imperial Conference, or other current political matters.” The “Daily News” comments on the fact that Mr King is not, technically Prime Minister, and,- therefore, prefers to he silent. It will create .an embarrassing situation if he holds aloof from the Conference. His action will be widely interpreted as a slight to the Empire at a moment when new relationships are evolving between the constituent parts and other nations.