THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21148, 4 October 1930, Page 12

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

The Imperial Conference has opened auspiciously. A family gathering, it might be suggested, usually begins well, though within families elements

of discord are rarely conspicuous by their absence. Yet family gatherings remain symbolic and material, a happy institution, and it is well. The effect of the welcome accorded the delegates from the oversea dominions will certainly not be prejudicial to the atmosphere in which the conference is now settling down to its business proper. The speeches at the banquet at the Guildhall, that environment so monumental of things which, as the Prime Minister of Canada observed, made the Empire possible, were coloured with a fervour, 1 it would seem, of goodwill that might have been assisted by, but was certainly not born of, toasts and hospitality. It is pleasant to note the . sentiments expressed by the Empire representatives, their unison in avowal of a common missiop. Thus Mr Bennett, “Before us lies the task of Empire consolidation and we must think of the Empire as an economic unit.” And Mr Scullin, who to Lord Beaverbrook’s overtures some time ago said “ Not on your life,” followed thus, “It is many yearsi since the hearts of the people of the British Commonwealth beat so closely together as to-day. Let us resolve to build up greater and more lasting prosperity for our people.” Nor was General Hertzog unequal to the occasion, for he proclaimed, amid cheers, “Take away co-operation and nothing would be left of the British Commonwealth . . . To-day I and other, Nationalists stand forth. as advocates of Imperial co-operation.” Our own Mr Forbes, of course, said his mission was for the consolidation of Empire, and Mr Thomas, Dominions Secretary, very properly summed up the task of the Conference as being to. give practical effect to the eloquent phrases of the evening, discreetly adding testimony to the coolness of head in the reminder: “ Phrases and p'erorations do not solve problems.” Certainly in the discovery of the best road to Empire consolidation and co-operation the Conference has no mean undertaking ahead of it. The common interest may be apparent: individual interest ,is pressing. In their preliminary speeches at the opening of the Conference. the delegates were, of course, more calculated, more Individual, and less uplifted than at the Guildhall. With the exception of the Daily Herald, the organ of Labour, the London press showed no haste to praise, criticise, or discuss the views they saw fit to express. Preliminary utterances in such circumstances must be regarded as open to modification in their bearing on Imperial policy, otherwise the possibility of any usefulness in Conference would be remote enough. The family council having opened, its importance is emphasised in the reflection that the countries represented stand for one-third of the population of the world. In quickened appreciation of such a fact, and of the comparatively small constituencies which they themselves represent at the gathering, the overseas delegates may well perceive more vividly the advantages to be derived by membership in the British Empire, and by the prosecution of schemes calculated to benefit the Empire as an economic whole. Considerations of trade must come first in importance, though it is well that the sentimental consideration of allegiance to the Mother Country and all that she stands for be allowed to temper the hard facts of economic law. As Mr MacDonald said, “Trade will not keep interempire affections vital,' but vital affection must keep our trade ample.” The dominions and Great Britain are all in a position to mako greater contribution to the ideal of an Empire 'held together by considerations of mutual advantage. It will be the business of the Imperial Conference to decide to what extent and in what manner the nations of the British Commonwealth can work for an ultimate measure of agreement which would make the Empire the greatest economic unit in the world, and, provided other considerations are not allowed to loom too large, something of importance in the desired direction should be accomplished.