IMPERIAL BONDS

Otago Witness, Issue 3196, 16 June 1915, Page 38

IMPERIAL BONDS

LONDON, June 9. Lord Sydenham presided at the meeting of the Royal Colonial Institute, at which a paper by Sir John M'Call, Agent-general of Tasmania, was read, advocating a convention at the end of the war, representing all parts of the Empire, to consider the possibilities of Imperial federation and ! how this can be secured without putting , an over-tight rein on young democracies and preserving local autonomy to the dominions. Sir Edmund Barton said that any attempt to establish an Imperial Parliament

must be a failure, owin'? to the demand the dominions make upon the services of public men. These make it impossible for outlying parts to be represented by the best men. At the same time it was impossible that the dominions should take a full measure of participation in a crisis such as the present if they were not given some voice, not only in the making of peace but the making of war. He therefore suggested the creation of an advisory council, which would be able by cable to consult and keep in touch with the various parts of the Empire. Such a council might develop into something more ambitious later on. Meanwhile he warmly approved of the suggestion of an Imperial Convention to consider the problem.