IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3775, 20 July 1926, Page 32

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

QUESTION OF POSTPONEMENT LONDON, July 12. In the House of Commons, Mr W. G. / i . Ormsby-Gore (Under-Secretary for the Colonies) stated that I*3 had not hoard ef any change in the Imperial Conference arrangements owing to the political conditions in Canada. It was proposed to give full consideration to overseas settlement at the coming conference. The Government was most anxious to co-operate to the fullest extent with the dominions on this subject. Forestry would also be discussed. J uly 14. It is learned that the possibility of postponing the Imperial Conference was discussed at a Cabinet meeting to-day, but the outcome of the discussion is not known. A request for a postponement is believed to have been received from Canada owing to the unsettled political situation there, which makes the attendance of a fullyaccredited representative uncertain. TALK OF POSTPONEMENT. OTTAWA, July 14 Mr Meighen denied the London reports that he had asked for a postponement of the Imperial Conference, and said that so far as Canada was concerned the October date could stand, as the Canadian elections were fixed for mid-September. SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION. LONDON, July IS In the House of Commons, Dr Haden Guest (Labour) asked whether at the Imperial Conference there would be an investigation into the land available for settlement in the different dominions. :\lr Baldwin said he was unable to answer the question. Mr Wardlaw Milne (Con.) asked whether the date of the Conference on October 5 was lively to b"» altered in consequence of any conditions existing in any of the dominions. Mr Baldwin said he was unable to answer at present. Mr ti. Thurtle (Labour) asked if the powers of Governor-Generals in relation to the dissolution of dominion parliaments would be discussed. Mr Baldwin replied that he had not had notice that that subject would Le discussed. Mr Rennie Smith (Labour) asked wheth members of the House of Commons and the general public would be able t.. attend conference. Mr lialdwin said hq had not considered that, it had never been done yet. Mr Baldwin added that the chief economic quep +: "-- on the agenda were as follows : (1.) Overseas settlement. (2.) general review of the inter-im-perial trade of 'he present and future, including a discussion of the work of the Imperial Economic Committee and the position of the Empire Marketing Board. Communications, including the work of the Imperial Shipping Committee and the question of commercial air services. (4.) Research. (5.) Ihe exhibition of Empire films within the Empire. (6.) The question of securing an agreement on the liability of State enterprises to taxation CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES. LONDON, July 18. The Colonial Office discounts the cabled reports that Mr Bruce possibly will not attend the Imperial Conference unless Canada is represented. It is pointed out that Canada will undoubtedly be represented, but by whom .8 dependent on the Canadian elections. Should Canada find it necessary to ask for a postponement for a week or a fortnight the other dominions would presumably concur. It is unofficially stated that should Mr Mackenzie King re-achieve the Prime Ministership, it is inevitable that he will raise the question of the prerogative of Governor-Generals in regard to a dissolution, with General Hertzog’s support, thus involving the whole question of Governorship f.nd its powers, including the Australian memorial in reference to State Governorships.