THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3773, 6 July 1926, Page 15

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

WELLINGTON, June 29. In the opinion of Mr George Forbes, Leader of the Nationalists, this year’s Imperial Conference will be one of the most important of its kind yet held, and he expressed a hope in the House to-day that the business of Parliament would be facilitated to make t the easier for Mr Coates, who will represent New Zealand, to attend it. It was essential, he said, that members should help to get the business through—and thus - allow Mr Coates to get away. To-day there was a feeling growing up in other parts of the Empire that the dominions which formed part of the Empire should have different representation and a greater voice than they had had i» the past. They claimed the right’ of nations, and the idea was'to frame the policy which was to provide the machinery of Empire, and at the same time permit these nations to have their say. Africa had its ideas, and from there came the demand for a new flag. Careful consideration would have to be given to the proposals for the setting up of any new machinery- for that was a very delicate matter indeed. '‘To my mind, the conference will be one of the most important yet held/’ said Mr Forbes, “because we may expect great changes in the constitution under which we work.” Mr Forbes added that after all the British Empire had no constitution. It worked under an arrangement, and that arrangement had been successful in the past. New Zealand had always said it' was willing to abide by the decisions arrived at by the statesmen of England, but it was evident that in other quarters a change was desired. Mr Forbes, for purposes of illustration, placed the Government of the Empire on a parallel with the government of Rngby football. Years ago the English Rugby . Union made the decisions which were law in New Zealand and throughout the Rugby world, but to-day there was an International Rugly Board, with general representation, it being felt that the old system was unsatisfachmy. and that the oonntri'B affiliated to England .t.ould have a say in the making of the laws which governed the came. The nosition in regard to Imperial affairs, he considered, was much the srme. The nations wanted a voice in the councils of the Empire which they felt they were entitled to. He hoped the Prime Minister would be able to assist toward the framing <*f a policy which would te for the general benefit.