IMPERIAL. WAR COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 22

IMPERIAL. WAR COUNCIL.

ARRIVAL or DELEGATES. [By Cable] 1 he Press Bureau aunouuocs that meetings oi Uie Imperial War Cabinet and Conference will begin within the next few days, Iho majority ot the representatives have arrived. Air M. Burton, Minister of Railways, has arrived in London to represent South Africa at the Imperial Conference. In the course of an interview lie said republicanism was really unpopular in <Soutu Africa amongst, the Dutch-speaking South Africans, who wore not prepared to risk the advantages and liberties oi the British system of government ior the problematical benefits of republicanism, regarding which they are sceptical. The outlook was entirely promising. Iho country was enjoying extraordinary prosperity, and a great majority of the people supported the Government policy in assisting the war to the utmost. A large and influential section of the Dutch was similarly disposed, and a substantial proportion of recruits wore of Dutch extraction.

The newspapers are making a feature of the arrival of Mr W. M. Hughes, and the probable influence of his speeches on Imperial affairs. 'lho official list of those who will attend the War Cabinet and War Conference includes :

Canada—The Right Hon. Sir R. L. Borden (Prime Minister), the Hon. A. Meighen, K.C. (Minister of the Interior), the Hon. J. A. Colder (Minister of Immigration), the Hon. H. N. Rowell, K.C. (President ot the Privy Council). South Africa.—The Hon. H. Burton, K.C. (Minister of Railways). Newfoundland—The Hon. W. F. Lloyd (Prime Minister). India—The Right Hon. Edwin S. Montagu (Secretary of State for India), Sir Sayendra Sinha. The Maharajah of Patiala will attend the War Conference. Australia—The Right Hon. W. M. Hughes (Prime Minister), tho Right Hon. J. Cook (Minister of the Navy). New Zealand—The Right Hon. W. F. Moessy (Prime Minister), the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward (Minister of Finance). OUR DELEGATES. Mr Massey, Sir J. G. Ward, and the Canadian and Newfoundland delegates wore welcomed at Euston Station by Mr Hcwins, M.P., on behalf of the Government. Sir T. Mackenzie's contingent of tho New Zealand Rifle Brigade, headed by tho New Zealand Band, welcomed the Now Zealand delegates, who were escorted to their hotel by a squadron of New Zealand Mounteds on horses lent by the Lifo Guards. Mr Fisher (the Commonwealth High Commissioner) welcomed Mr Hughes. Subsequently Mr Massey and Sir J. G. Ward were interviewed. They reiterated Australasia's desire to prevent Germany occupying the Pacific Islands as bases against British democracy. New Zealand had exceeded the monthly drafts needed. Both expressed their admiration of the splendid type of American soldiers coming to France. The men were in deadly earnest on the task before them.