The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1916. IMPERIAL WAR COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Issue 17935, 29 January 1917, Page 4

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1916. IMPERIAL WAR COUNCIL.

Mr Lloyd George is certainly supplying the element of strong leadership, • the absence of which in the direction of the nation at the most critical time in its history was so greatly lamented by critics of the previous administration, and by many impartial observers as well. In forming his Cabinet Mr Lloyd George threw custom and precedent to the winds. Political traditions were cast aside, and his bold experiment was accepted by politicians and public alike with a singular readiness. It was a clear demonstration of the fact that the country was hungry for a leader, and was prepared to give a fair trial to anyone sufficiently bold to throw himself into the breach and risk his whole political future on his ability to guide the nation aright during a crisis in which men are made and unmade with the passing of a moment. Many problems that have hitherto been regarded as too delicate for practical politics have been taken in hand with refreshing directness, and now the great question as to the right of the Dominions to have a voice in the direction of the war and the terms upon which it shall be ended, a problem that has been endlessly and aimlessly tossed to and fro among statesmen and lesser politicians, has been faced with a quiet confidence ot following the right track that is impressive. The issue, as it appeared to Mr Lloyd George, was so clear cut; “It seemed to them to be an impossible and undemocratic proposition to think that the overseas nations would raise and place in the field armies containing an enormous proportion of their best manhood, and not want, to have a real say in determining what use they are to be put to.” Holding this conviction, and no other is possible, the new Government adopted the natural and consequential course of summoning the Premiers of the Dominions to attend a conference, which Mr Lloyd George makes clear is not to be a formal Imperial Conference, but an Executive Cabinet. In the Premier’s own words: "I regard the Council as the beginning of a new epoch in the history of the Kmpire. The war has changed us and taught us more than we yet understand. It has opened a new age to us. We want to go into that age together with our fellows overseas just as we have gone through the darkness and shed our blood and treasure together. Nothing affecting the dominions in the conduct of the war or the negotiations for peace will be excluded from the purview of the Council's meetings. Domestic matters affecting the United Kingdom will he the only reservation.” That is a very clear and concise statement, not only in regard to the importance of this latest phase of Imperial development, but also in regard to the purpose and scope of the Council. Mr Lloyd George does not attempt to foresee what permanent change in Empire relationships may be expected, but there can be no doubt that the summoning of the Council is Jindeed “the beginning of a new epoch

in the history of the Empire.” .All these changes come about by the pressure of events, and we shall be fortunate if, at the end of the war. we have at the head of the nation one who sees clearly the trend of events and is not dismayed because it leads in new directions. The opportunity is a great one ter the Dominions, and it, is fortunate that at the moment both Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward are in England, for the Premiers are allowed the privilege of having with them colleagues in their own Ministries, and though Sir Joseph Ward will not exercise an independent vote, his experience and his insight into the Imperialistic leanings of the people of New Zealand will render his presence of the utmost service to his chief. It would be idle to deny that there has been a growing feeling that either Mr Massey or Sir Joseph Ward should return to the Dominion with all dispatch, for many questions are arising which cannot be dealt with by subordinates, but the importance of being represented at the War Council with our greatest strength will change that feeling into one of gratification that the moment has come so opportunely. Mr Massey will be strengthened by Sir Joseph Ward's presence, and the joint representation will ensure a true reflex of the Dominion’s loyalty, and its wishes in regard to the matters that will be discussed. It is unfortunate that Australia is not so happily situated. The political situation is so involved, and the warring elements so bitterly hostile, that it is doubtful if the Commonwealth will be represented at all. It would be a thousand pities if Australia should sacrifice Imperial development to party strife, but, strange though it may seem, there are those who see in any form of Imperial Federation a menace to the fetish of nationalism. The Melbourne Age voices the views of these extremeists when it says: "Were they to consent to any conceivable sort of Imperial Federation, or to join in the creation of an Imperial Parliament, all their most precious exclusive rights and immunities would be undermined and shorn, away.” Only blind extremists oonld adopt an attitude of this kind. Australia's future surely depends on the winning of this war. and Australia is as much concerned as any other part of the Empire in what steps are to be taken after the war to make the Empire strong and self-reliant, prosperous and immune from attack. Australia cannot stand apart from the rest of the Empire and preserve all her “most precious exclusive rights and immunities.” It will be time enough to push the theory of nationalism to the extreme when Australia no longer needs the assistance of Britain’s navy and army and in the meantime it is a shortsighted policy which places an impossible theory before the great part the Commonwealth can and should play in the development of the Empire. This first gathering in which the Dominions will have an operative vote in Imperial concerns will be watched with deep interest, and will be regarded as heralding a permanent organic union that will make the British race stronger, more prosperous, and more unassailable than ever.