AN EMPIRE PARLIAMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15098, 22 March 1911, Page 6

AN EMPIRE PARLIAMENT.

No exception can reasonably bo taken in principle to the refusal of the Home Government to enter upon a discussion in the House of Commons respecting Sir Joseph Ward's proposals for the ultimate establishment of an Empire Parliament of Defence. The proposals, which, the Sydney Daily Telegraph points out, are not entirely novel, are somewhat sketchy at present, and it is probable also that the whole question may be regarded just now as academic rather than one of practical politics. In any case, they are intended by Sir Joseph Ward for the consideration of the Imperial Conference, and it may be held to be desirable, as a mere matter of courtesy, that they should first be debated at that, gathering. With a great deal of what Sir Joseph Ward said «t Sydney in his speech, the report of which occupies more than two and ahaJf columns in the Homing Herald, there will, we hope, be general agreement. Sir Joseph insisted upon the need for the creation of some broader naval system under which, by the co-ordinatign of all parts of the Empire, the British Navy may be rendered capable of a wider Imperial service than is at present possible. The adoption of tihis view would entail the acceptance by the various dominions of a much larger burden of expenditure for naval purposes and would, it is urged., entitle them to be heard in connection with matters that are now dealt with entirely by the Home Government. Sir Joseph Ward's argument on this point is shown in the following extract from his speech: —

At present timo tho foreign'policy of tho Empire on the question of peace and war is determined wholly and oJon-j by tho British Government of tho day. Trio oversea Dominions havo at present no voice—indeed, jio righfc-to bo heard in connection with foroig-n policies, vita.l questions of international law, foreign, treaties other than commercial, nor tho crowning question of psace or war. In respect of all important matters tho c-tizons of the oversea Dominions aro dief ra-uchised, ami .no system can bo adopted which, while- increasing the contributions from tho oversea. Dominions for Empire defence, still refuses those growing young nations a voioo in tlieso vital questions. To continaio tho present undefined policy violates tho first principles of our coiietitutional systoui, that thero shall not bo taxation without representation. Therefore, it seems to be almost inevitable, unless an organised unity is dovised, that as well portion grows in strength it will by its own policy in the mutter of dofenco soparote from "tho rest and go on its own way, oitihor indopondontly or otherwise, and hence samo groat eohomo of Imperial unity for Emniza defence should be devised The

time may not bo ripe for this; but I believe the system to which wo musS ultimately movo is that of pjiving- representation to the United 1 Kingdom' and to the oversea Dominions on a population basis in an Imperial Parliament of Defence, tlio purposo being to create a partnership in the protection < of our fimpire. . . . Such a Parliament of Defcnco nocd not necessarily sit always jn London. It would appeal to. the imaginations of British people throughout the whole of the Empire if it sat ' in succession in London, Ottawa, tho Australian Federal capital, Capetown, and 'Wellington. ... To such a Parliament would camo tho statesmen of the Empire to ileal with the great questions of Empire defence, of foreign policy, of foreign relations, and treaties affecting the Kmpire generally. Tho declaration of peace or war could bo left with safety in tho hands of such a Parliament or those of tho executive.

In the qualifying clause contained in the last five words we have quoted consists one of the great weaknesses of tho scheme Sir Joseph Ward , has thus outlined.- The issues of peace-and war must be settled promptly by the statesmen to whom, whether they be his Majesty's Ministers at Home or 'the executive of an Empire Parliament, is committed for the time being the control of the destinies of tho Empire. This executive inust.be ever in a position to act decisively and espeditiously. Ifc is .imperative that the responsibility in relation to great issues of State should be imposed upon some authority situated at the heart of tho Empire. It would imperil tho national safety if any plan were adopted whereby there would be any , diffusion of responsibility in such matters. And for thin' reason, if for no other, Sir Joseph Ward's proposals must be looked upon j somewhat critically. But his speech hae already had the good effect of directing the thoughts of people in Uie United Kingdom to questions of broad Imperial policy, and it may also be expected to serve the useful purpose of leading to a wider realisation of the importance ol the strengthening of the bonds of Empire with tho view to the adequate defence both of the Mother Country and of the Dominions in the different quarters of the globe.