MR MASSEY’S MISSION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18221, 16 April 1921, Page 9

MR MASSEY’S MISSION.

Mr Massey leaves the dominion to-day for England to attend the Imperial Conference. He does so with the approval of the public, as manifested in the view expressed by Parliament on the subject, aud he will carry with him the good wishes and confidence of the great majority of the people of New Zealand. To the discharge of his stewardship upon this important mission Mr Massey will bring a tried experience and a regard for the interests of the Empire winch is as staunch as it is whole-hearted. His view of tho Empire partnership admits of no compromise with the theories of self-determination that are incompatible with the maintenance of the solidarity of the Empire. The discussions iu which he now goes to participate as a matter of duty, and in response to a call which was not to he disregarded, will involve questions that will be, as we have had Lord Milner’s assurance, of “vital importance” to the future of the Empire. The continued cohesion of the Empire depends upon the relations of the self-governing dominions to* one another and to the Mother Country, and on the relations of the British Commonwealth as a whole to the other nations of tho world. In union there is

strength, but there cannot be unity without consultation and agreement. In regard to certain questions there is considered to be need for such consultation and agreement at the present time. The war has had some effect in altering the complexion of the relationship of the nations. - Difficult problems confront the statesmen entrusted with the task of steering the Empire, and it is necessary for them to proceed warily and with circumspection in framing a policy tne effect of which may be of vast importance in influencing the relations of Great Britain and the Empire with other Powers, and in shaping the course of the Empire’s future. Certain points in this connection are now demanding determination and agreement on the part of the constituent members of the Empire. But it is to be remembei’ed, as Mr Hughes reminded the Federal Parliament a few days ago, that the Imperial Conference to be held in June will not concern itself with the discussion of constitutional matters. It will not be a conference for the consideration of the relations of the dominions to the Mother Country, deeply interesting and important as this subject is. The conference is to be in the nature of a special conference for the purpose of consultation upon questions of foreign affairs in which the dominions are interested, these including the desirability or otherwise of the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, and the matter of naval policy. The importance of the issues wrapped up in these two questions alone is too manifest to require emphasis.