EMPIRE PARTNERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17158, 7 October 1926, Page 7

EMPIRE PARTNERS

THE COMING CONFERENCE DOMINIONS AND LEAGUE RIGHT TO SEAT- SUPPORTED (Elec. Tel. Copyright--United Press Assn.) (Sydney Sun Cables.) LONDON. Oct. 6. Tlie Sun's political correspondent says that as the result of interviews in authoritative circles he will lie able to reveal interesting aspects on the most vital cpicstion to come before the Imperial Conference, namely, Imperial relations. They do not attach over-much importance to lecont. non-committal statements by various Premiers, because it is their conviction that there will he much plain speech at the conference. General Hertzog's studied circumspection in particular is regarded as lending color to this conviction. The really interesting point is. when will tlie guns unmask, and who will begin it. Diplomatic circles in Downing Street do not- expect the startling outbursts which have been suggested in certain quarters for some time. The correspondent adds: "I am able to state definitely that Britain will take an early opportunity at the conference to indicate that she agrees with the Dominions' right to a seat on the League of Nations' Council, and will vote in that sense if any Dominion will take such <t stand, but "this wil] be accompanied by an important reservation, namely.' that Britain cannot, be expected to canvass other nations for votes. It may well transpire that the Council question will provide the approach to the general question of Imperial relations, because the acceptance thereof would bo a distinct, recognition that the Dominions have acquired still another degree of self-deter. snination. "What remains to be seen is' whether certain Dominions will seek to go further, which apparently would leave little except a complete breakaway. Thel question asked in diplomatic circles is: Do .people in talking of complete independence realise! that it- would mean the severance of all ties of defence, finance, and economics, requiring that the Dominions provide for their own self-protec-tion'!' There is no doubt what the answer will be. Tlie only doubt is whether the people talking of secession realise; what ii connotes. British circles are of opinion that the secession gestures merely arise from thrf fact that Canada and South Africa are so wrapped up in internal problems that, thev are unable to devote the necessary thought to Imperial questions. In this way they are. unlike Australia and New Zealand, where true implications of Imperial partnership v. independence are more apreciated."