THE COUNCIL OF EMPIRE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12464, 25 May 1911, Page 5

THE COUNCIL OF EMPIRE

1 M.PORTAXT SPEECHES.

(Press Assn.— By- Telegraph— Copyright.)

LONDON

May 24

Mr Asquitlk tho Prime Minister, at the opening of the Imperial Conference, said it was a happy coincidence that the time chosen for the conference would enable the statesmen of self-governing-Dominions to take a. personal part m the Coronation. The Empire was made up of countries not geographically coterminous or even contiguous. It did not even draw its unifying cohesive force solely from identity of race or language. They had here a political organisation which by its mere existence ruled out the possibility. There was between them a population numbering something like a third of the human race. There were two things m the self-government of the British Empire M-hich were unique m the history of his great political aggregation. The first was the reign of autonomian law ; the second was the combination of local autonomy, absolute and unfettered with loyalty to a common head. In the early Victorian era there were two rough and ready solutions of the Colonial problem. One was the centralisation of government from Downing street; the other the disintegration by which each community as it grew to manhood would, without embitterment, start an independent existence. After seventy years of Imperial evolution neither of the theories commanded the faintest support of any part of the Empire. Now each intended to remain master of his own household and remain units, but units m a greater unit. Mr Fisher (Federal " Prime Minister) said he came to the conference as a wholehearted advocate of the conference. They were met not only m the centre of the Empire, but they, «s centres of the other Doniinions, earnestly appealed to Mr Asqmth to take some steps to remedy the grave abuse affecting the commerce of the Empire and other countries, m the exorbitant Suez Canal charges. He hoped, the Government would afford the Dominions more expeditious access to trade reports from every part of the world. Referring to the defence scheme, he said Australia 1 desired to help m the preservation of the honor and greatness of the Mother country and would ..cheerfully _co-oper, ate with the Mother country while protecting their own shores. " The Commonwealth desired to assist m anything m the shape of international arbitraworid preserve the P eace 'of the Sir Joseph Ward eulogised the initiJteir™ I*l^,^1 * I^,^ the co »*°Kdation ot South Africa. While preserving local autonomy it. was essential to take a step .forward I they wished to prevent the forces of disintegration they must recognise the necessity for elasticity m matteis which might be the outcome of the conference. General. Botha was gratified at participating m the conference. He was able n° a rL? at So " th J . Africa > there m J "W^ much discord and so much blood had flown, concord and harmony now reigned. They were inspired l3 hope arid courage for the future. ■ hir Wilfrid Laurier moved, and Mr Fisher seconded an address of homage to the King, which was carried. „. THE -.MESS EXCLUDED. fcir Joseph Ward, m moving the ad?i? 1O H- of * l uf - p .' ess - -referred 'to the ciinicuLty of obtaining information on the occasion of the last conference— a difficontrol U Uie Pl ' eSS " iaS " llable to Sir Wilfrid- Laurier said that lat the last conference the arrangements were satisfactory. The people of New Zealand were .as well informed as the people of London or Canada. If the press were admitted the deliberations would assume,the nature of. a 'public dis cufsion. It was necessary to preserve privacy and- publish the results. 'not the difference of opinion ■ Mr Fisher sympathised with the reso1 W bu< \. sa \ d lf } h * Press withdrew when a particular subject was being discussed, pubhc attention would be drawn inhi \ f S !^, ested thai confidential subjects should be separated from' the General Botha opposed the motion. _\Jr Acquit, suggested that Sir Joseph ANard should not press the motion. He appreciated the reasons, but it must be remembered that the conference must not partake of a public meeting, or its usefulness would be - impaired if any question were hot dismissed freely An .occasion for the exclusion of the press would excite curiosity, and a, picture would be drawn as to the conflicts within tho conference. ; Sir Joseph Ward, m view of the opinions expressed, saw no chance of carrying Ins resolution, so he withdrew ORDER OF BUSINESS. Mr Asquith ' explained that naval and military matters would be discussed by the Committee of Imperial Defence where they would have the advantage ot experts' advice; also it was probably not desirable to bring other technical subjects before the conference until they had been discussal by the oversells representatives and the Imperial departments concerned. There were proposals on the agenda aiming at some closer political union m the shape of an Advisory Council. Without offering any opinion he ventured to observe that they must not lose sight of the value of elastic flexibility m Imperial organisation. He trusted the Imperial Government would be able to oiler acceptable suggestions m regard to the constitution of the ColoniaJ Office, including a segregation and the concentration of work appropriate to the Dominions from the other Mbrk of the department. He referred . to the farteachiug, result of' the last Defence Conference, and the inauguration of the Canadian and Australian fleets, as giving a further impetus to the spirit of Velf-reliance. It was highly desirable' to take stock together of the 'possible risks and dangers exposed m common, and weigh them carefully and adequately. He believed there was. throughout the conference one spirit, one purpose, to make the Empire and all its parts a more complete and effective instrument m the furtherance of liberty. Sir Wilfrid Laurier said they" might claim that the work of the last conference was productive of material, even important results. He ' represented a cbuntry which had no grievances and very few suggestions to make. They were satisfied with their lot, and approached their colleagues' suggestions with an open mind. :rhey recognised the principle; that- the British Empire can and ought (o live m Imperial Unity based on local autonomy.