THE DOMINIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16888, 28 December 1916, Page 5

THE DOMINIONS

PROPOSED IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

INVITATIONS CABLED

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.

LONDON, December 26,

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr W. Long) telegraphed to the dominions yesterday : — His Majesty's Government does not contemplate a session of tho ordinary Imperial Conference, but a special War Conference of the Empire, I therefore invite your Prime Minister to attend a series of special continuous meetings of the War Cabinet to considei urgent questions—the prosecution of the ■war and the possible conditions on which, in agreement with our allies, we

could assent to peace, and the problems arising therefrom. For the purpose of these meetings youi Premiei will be a member of the War Cabinet. In view of the urgency and importance of the subjects for discussion, it is hoped that your Prime Minister will attend not later than the end of February, and, if unable to attend, that he will appoint a substitute.

Thb Secretary of State for India (Mr A. Chamberlain) telegraphed to the Viceroy in similar, terms, stating that he (Mr Chamberlain) would represent India, and desiring the attendance of two gentlemen to be specially selected.

THE. INVITATION RECEIVED. (Feb United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, December 27.

The Governor has received a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies as follows: —

His Majesty's Government proposes to call a special war conference of the Empire to which tho Prime Ministers of all the self-governing dominions of the Crown have Deen invited. At this con ferencc the Prime Ministers will be regarded as members of the Imperial Ww Cabinet for the purpose of the meeting. The conference will have under consideration urgent matters affecting the prosecution of the war and the possible conditions on which, in agreement with all our allies, we could assent to its termination, and the problems which must immediately arise on tho conclusion of hostilities.

UNIVERSAL TRAINING.

RECOMMENDED IN CANADA. Reuter's Telegrams. OTTAWA, December 26. Sir Samuel Hughes, ex-Minister of Defence, made a speech in which he strongly favoured universal military training for home defence and compulsory service overseas. NEW ZEADANDER KILLED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, December 27. (Received Dec. 27, at 7.30 p.m.) Austin Quick, son of the late Mr W. H. Quick, of Wellington, has been killed in action.