The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1921. EMPIRE CONFERENCE LIMITATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1921. EMPIRE CONFERENCE LIMITATIONS.

The comments made by the London Daily Telegraph relative to the constitution and limitations of the Premiers’ Conference may be regarded as academic rather than bring as of any practical value. The basic principle on which these conferences rests embraces not only the strengthening of the unity of the Empire, but in a cooperative effort to advance the interests of the units in such a way as to promote harmony and a confident feeling of security. As an Empire, Britain and the Dominions stand as one, united before the whole world. It is worthy of note that Lord Birkenhead (Lord Chancellor of England) some time ago remarked that “the preservation and strengthening of this unity call for the exercise of the highest gifts of statesmanship, so that the interests of each part of the Empire shall be brought into harmony with and strengthen the interests of all. This aspect of national unity transcends all bonds of race. The Empire is linked together by the loyalty of all to the Throne; its territories being united by the sea.” The Daily Telegraph needlessly asserts that “there ,is no Parliament or electorate to whom the Conference can be made answerable, and it is hardly possible to apportion precise responsibility, for though the Dominion Premiers are consulted and given confidential information, the executive authority remains with the British Ministry, subject to the control of the House of Commons.” Why ths Telegraph should have deemed it advisable to draw attention to facts that are well known (in the Dominions if not at Home) can not be explained. Obviously a conference of this kind is merely consultative, the object being to obtain the views of the Dominions on matters of policy which concern the Empire as a whole or in part. That is all the Dominions claim—consultation on Empire affairs as a means whereby the Imperial Government may be guided in deciding its policy of action. There are, of course, some questions on which different interests cause a divergence of opinion, and though the decision of the majority carries weight the rights of minorities have to be safeguarded. It is, therefore, essential that on the Imperial Government should rest the responsibility of being the arbitrator. The one great essential in these conferences is the exercise of the highest statesmanship. Possibly it is too much to expect that all the Dominion Premiers possess this gift, but at least they can be actuated by the broad principle of unity, and not be obsessed by petty considerations or parochialism. They meet for mutual benefit and not for posing in the limelight. Not being of equal ability, it is inevitable that some of the Premiers should overshadow others, but if all place the interests of the Empire above everything else, the result should in every way justify the institution of these conferences, which may be likened to a gathering of partners in a large business concern to talk over matters of importance concerning the firm, the interests of which are the main concern, and to forward which is the one great aim of all the partners; while the ultimate decision as to policy rests with the head of the partnership. Only on that basis can these gatherings be of service—mutual interest and unity of purpose. It cannot be claimed that these conferences constitute an ideal method of reaching the desired end. Possibly in the course of time a permanent system may be evolved that will obviate the present defects and inconveniences. Meanwhile it is to be hoped that the members of the Conference will be as discreet as possible, and approach all the questions to be discussed with an open mind, unaffected by, statements made in interviews or post prandial speeches, and do their best, to solve the important problems that will be set before them.

BREAKWATER WORKS. An important step was taken by the New Plymouth Harbor Board at its meeting on Friday last, when it was de-\ aided to apply ‘to the Marine Department for permission to construct the breakwater extension in rubble instead of with concrete blocks. According to the resident engineer, thia rubble work will not only be nearly £25,000 cheaper, but can be completed in a year and a half less than if blocks are used. The sea wall in front of the railway station, which was made with rubble, has proved a success, and so should a similar work at the breakwater, though, of course, the breakwater will be more exposed to .the seas. The scheme had the approval of the consulting engineer, and so should commend itself to the department, especially as it follows the lines of the plan approved by Sir John Coode in 1879. It is worthy of note that Sir John Coode expected to obtain the requisite stone from Paritutu for this work, and only because the then resident engineer reported that but a tenth of that stone would exceed thirty hundredweight was the block system adopted. Since then the greater part of the breakwater has been built, so that the position to-day is entirely different. The exhaustive report made by Mr. Blair Mason on the quality of the stone at Paritutu, the Fishing Rock and Moturoa, leaves no room for doubt as to the suitability of the Paritutu stone for the purpose, and as the Moturoa stone cannot be available for the early completion of the work, that from Paritutu becomes alone the source from which, without delay, a satisfactory supply of stone can be obtained at a low cost. Time and money are the two dominant factors in this undertaking, as the rapidly growing trade of the port makes imperative the provision of further facilities for berthing large vessels. The board, though postponing for a week or two further blasting operations at Paritutu, is wisely pushing forward the tram-line to this rock—the utilisation of which is inevitable—and has decided to carry on the works for a further two months in the hope of obtaining the necessary funds to continue operations. No efforts should be spared to obtain the requisite money to finish the extension scheme and make the port one of the best and most useful in the Dominion. Taranaki’s progress largely depends on this work, which is important nationally as well as locally.