EMPIRE PARLIAMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18612, 21 July 1922, Page 6

EMPIRE PARLIAMENTS

DfTERCO ORSE BETWEEN MEMBERS. SIB FRANCIS BELL ENTERTAINED. Pceaa Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, July 19. (Received July 20, at 10.45 p.m.) The Empire Parliamentary Association entertained Sir George Foster (Canada) and Sir Francis Bell (New Zealand) at the House of Commons. Mr L. C. M. S. Amery (Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty), Sir James Allen, and other prominent persons were present Mr Bonar Law presided, and in proposing the toast of the guests advocated frequent intercourse between members of the Parliaments of the Empire as the best way of getting fuller information about the Empire. He pointed out that the war could not have been won without the help of the self-governing dominions. He mentioned that Canada’s casualties in 1 the late war were greater than the whole of the British casualties during the Napoleonic war from the Peninsular campaign to Waterloo. New Zealand’s casualties were for greater than the total number of British soldiers who toot part in the battle of Waterloo. If the colonies were necessary to Great Britain during the war they were specially necessary in peace time. He urged the need for increased trade within the Empire. “Our first duty is to develop our heritage,” said Mr Bonar Law, “in that way will bo found the way'to safety and prosperity.” Mr Bonar Law eulogised the very useful part Sir Francis Bell had played during the war as Acting-Prime Minister of New Zealand. Sir Francis Bell, replying, said that he recognised the meeting as am expression of the desire of the British Parliament to recognise the status of the overseas Parliaments which it itself had created. He paid a tribute to the usefulness and value of the Conference of Prime Ministers, and said it would be absolutely futile to hold any conference other than of Prime Ministers. New Zealand had arrived at a determination to continue in the union of the Empire under the power of the Sovereign and also to recognise the paramount authority of the British Parliament. Sir Francis Bell concluded by paying a tribute to the sympathy and patience which the British Government had shown to the dominions in the solution of Empire matters. —A. and N.Z. Cable.