AN EPOCH-MAKING CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 25

AN EPOCH-MAKING CONFERENCE.

GOOD WORK WELL DONE. THE MOST ESSENTIAL LINK. LOYALTY OF THE EMPIRE. (Fboh Oub Own Correspondent.) LONDON, August 11. "Although it was called a conference, it had the status of a Cabinet,” said Mr Massey, with an intonation of gratification, as to me he made a passing reference to the great occasion which brought him to London. And he added: “ I am well satisfied with the result, for the Imperial Conference did tremendous work, one of its most important sequels being its development of Empire relations among the different countries of the Empire each with the other, and not only in their relation to the Mother Country. Several misunderstandings li«ve been removed, and representatives have learnt a great deal from each other with regard to the different points of view of the several countries of the Empire. They see more cloarly than ever before the tremendous possibilities of th Empire as a whole, and consequently the corresponding responsibility of those who are entrusted with the management and control of its different parts, so that they may be able to work together as a Great Power for the good not onfy of their own citizens, but of all the peoples of the earth. At the opening cf the proceedings there seemed to be an idea on the part of a email section of the public in the overseas countries that there was an intention on the part of tlie representatives of the United Kingdom to interfere in some unexplained way with the autonomy which the younger nations enjoy. I can only say there was not a scintilla cf truth in this suggestion. The destiny of the overseas countries of the Empire is in the hands of their own peoples, though each -and every one of them has its duty to the Empire, as well as to itself. MAKING FOR EMPIRE UNITY. *'ln my opinion,” Mr Massey further said, "the Imperial Conference just over has been far and away the most important gathering of representatives from the different parts of the Empire which has ever yet been held. A great deal of the work has been essentially the work which is usually dealt with by a- Cabinet rather than by a conference, and I believe that much good will result. Apart from matters connected with the war, which were considered when the Imperial War Cabinet was in existence, the conference was epoch-making, in that it has marked the first occasion that the representatives of the dominions have joined in the government of the Empire as a whole. Very important matters have been dealt with, and momentous decisions have been arrived afc, which will have a far-reaching effect in the direction of Empire unity. I am very strongly of opinion that wo have laid the foundations of a system which will, in years t-o come, develop into a satisfactory form of government for the British Empire. I believe that when the public realise the importance of what has taken place they will be of the opinion that the result has been good work well done. The proceedings of the conference will tend to restore normal conditions to British countries sooner than would otherwise be the case.” THE AXGLO-JAPANESE TREATY. Mr Massey descril>ed as one of th© most important of the questions dealt with the Anglo-Japanese Treaty, and though the opinion of the Lord Chancellor and the Crown Law Officers simplified matters very considerably, the whole subject was thoroughly thrashed out from every possible point of view, and ” I think I am justified in saying that the weight of opinion was to the effect that the peace of the world is more likely to he secured if the present arrangement is allowed to continue, unless a tripartite arrangement can be agreed upon as between the throe great naval Powers—Britain. America, and Japan, and I have no hesitation in eaying that something in that wav would be the best thing that could possibly happen. If this can be brought about at the coming Washington Conference we shall have made much more progress towards the millennium than many people deemed to l>e possible- We can only hop© that the representatives of the nations will be guided by a desire for the peace and happiness of humanity.” INTER-IMPERIAL TRAFFIC. Speaking of the work dene by the Conference in connection with inter-Imnerial communications, Mr Massey said : ** Not the least important of the proposals dealt with was the necessity for an improvement in the communications as between the different nations of the Empire, whether by steamship, airship, wireless, or cable. This is allimportant, and I trust that what has been done will be followed up by tangible results. There are possibilities in airships which should ho exploited so that if improvements can bo effected (and this seems quite likely), w<* may be able to take advantage of them. On© of the needs at present is cheaper cables and a further development of the wireless system. I have l>con informed that a duplication of the Pacific cable is also necessary, because in caae of a break in the present cable very serious inconvenience will result to business people and others. While wo aro dealing with communication. I do not forgot the necessity for lower freights on cargo ships. and faster ships for passengers and mail purposes. I am confident that great improvements are possible in aviation, but T do not think that airships will ever take the place of cargo ships, or even ordinary passenger ships. But the shortening of distance, either by faster services or lower freights and fares, or both, is all-important to the citizens of every part of the Empire, and no opportunity should ho lost, to bring about 1 lie deoired improvement. I do hope that some advance will b© made

in the matter of improved communications being taken in hand, and improvement* effected without waiting too long for them. The committee of experts which was set up to deal with aviation has produced a busi-ness-like and very valuable report. I trust the work they have done will not be wasted.” FIRM ALLEGIANCE. On the final day of meeting the Premiers still here drafted and adopted an address to the King, assuring him of the Empire's loyalty, and, as will he discerned, its significance lies in its heart—in the testimony of allegiance to the Sovereign, for its keynote is the still further cementing of the Empire Parliaments. The message road: “We, the Prim© Ministers and other representatives of the British Empire, speaking on behalf of the United Kingdom, the British dominions, the Indian Empire, and the British Crown colonies and protectorates, desire, on the eve of concluding our meeting, to present our humble duty to your Majesty and to reaffirm our loyal devotion to your thi-one. We have been conscious throughout our deliberations of a unanimous conviction that the most essential of the links that, bind our widely-spread peoples is the Crown, and it is our determination that no changes in our status as peoples or as Governments shall weaken our common allegiance to the Empire and its Sovereign. Knowing your Majesty’s deep interest in a-11 that touches your people’s happiness, we trust that our labours in this time of world-wide unrest may be satisfactory to you and conduce to the welfare and safety of your dominions, as well as to the peace of the world. We pray that your Majesty and the Queen may long be spared to enjoy the affection of your subjects, and to see all classes equally' recovered from the strain and sacrifice of the war.” THE IMPORTANT UNITING LINK. Acknowledging' the Address, the King expresses th© satisfaction he feels in the assurance of the Premiers’ loyal devotion to himself and to the throne, and as still more gratified by their expressed conviction that the Crown is the important link uniting together in cohesion and strength the component parts of our great Empire. " I have experienced stirring and ineffaceable proofs of these sentiments in the en-' thusiastic and touching receptions invariably given me on the several occasions of my visits to different portions of tho world where the British flag flics—proofs which have been renewed in the remarkable demonstrations of welcome and goodwill towards the Prince of Wales in those diminions and colonies which he has been able to visit during tile pa3t three years. “Furthermore,” says the King, who continues : “Where could one find such ample testimony to their common allegiance to the Empire and its Sovereign as in their noble self-sacrifice during four and a-half years of the world war ? “I have follower! with keen interest tho deliberations of the conference. These meetings, and the exchange cf views between the Ministers of the great communities which they represent, upon the many problems affecting the common interest- of the British peoples, are essential to the unity and wellbeing of the Empire, and to tho general peace of the world. Every facility must be given for such periodical meetings, and to c-nsuxe this we look confidently to the men of science and research to discover improved means of intercommunication between all parts of the British Commonwealth. I know that the work of the conference has been strenuous, entailing severe demand, mental and physical, upon all concerned. But their time has been well spent in advancing further along the road of progress and development. I heartily thank them on my own behalf and that of the Qu&en for their address. W© wish God-speed to those who are leaving England’, and a safe and happy return to their respective homes and families. More than ever do we follow with feelings of affection the welfare _of cur people at Home and across tho sea.” BACK TO WORK. To the Sunday Times representative Mr Massey said that anyone who thought at all about Empire affairs must realise how very important and full of possibilities were tiie times through which we were now passing. The period before the war night be termed the foundational stage of the British Empire, upon which was now building the superstructure. By their participation in the great conflict the dominions became endowed with the attributes and aspirations of young nationhood; and the work is proceeding of constructing the future Empire upon lines which require to take account of this materially altered condition of things. ’■ The task of present reconstruction is of the greatest importance," said the Prime Minister, ” for growth will now he rapid. In a_ comparatively few years Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa will have populations and resources in developed wealth and manhood many times what they are now, and with this power behind them they will be pushing vigorously onward towards the attainment of their ideals. Those deals are largely the visions which inspired the great colonisers of our liistorv. DUTY TO EMPIRE! This is a stage in the Empire's history when wisdom, foresight, and inspiration are most urgently required; when the opinions of the best minds are valuable; when those upon whom have been bestowed opportunities of influencing all-powerful millions should seriously consider how to invest their ' talents,' in the degree in which they have been entrusted with them, so that they may return a hundredfold advantage in their Empire’s cause, and in the attainment of its destiny. How best con each member of th? community serve the Empire? That should lie a question which every man in these times should ask himself. I should say first, by learning all he can about the Empire and by trying to understand the problems and requirements involved not only in its existence, but its supremacy—supremacy in power, Christian attributes, wealth, and general service to mankind; next by utilising his . knowledge that in the exercise of his rights and privileges of citizenship (which in these democratic days are individually considerable and collectively very great) he will conscientiously feel that he is ‘doing bis bit’ for his country and Empire in peace time, as he was proud to do it in war. “We are members of a great nation which is but part of a great Empire, extending to the furthest limits of east and] west. All its widespread interests must be known and considered, and, if necessary, must be reconciled. The development to the fullest extent, of trade within the Empire is one means by which we may increase our strength —Britain drawing from tlie dominions and colonies her requirements in raw material, and they buying their manufactures from her. A UNITED EMPIRE. "There is also the necessity of getting solidly to work again, of throwing aside factional strife, and reviving old enthusiasms in individual tasks so that we may regain our once unchallenged position as the leading commercial and industrial nation. The work of Empire reconstruction which has been proceeding at the Empire Conference has been very valuable, evidences of which will be apparent as time goes on. My own fellowcitizens sent me here with one instruction: to stand in everything for a united Empire, and it is upon my work in that respect that I shall be required to give account.”