The Daily News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1930.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1930, Page 6

The Daily News FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1930.

IMPERIAL RELATIONS. The 1930 Conference of Prime Ministers having been opened in London under circumstances that presage the consideration of many matters closely affecting the future of the British Empire, there can be no doubt that the delegates will do all in their power to advance those interests which they individually consider will be of advantage to their respective countries. It is quite possible, however, that though there may be something like a general accord on matters involving principles upon which unity should exist if the Commonwealth of Nations is to remain in reality ‘what it is in name, there will be other matters that will certainly prove so strongly controversial that they will possibly tend to evoke the highest form of diplomacy and statesmanship in order to smooth over differences by judicious compromises. The views expressed by the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. R. B. Bennett, in the course of an interview, may well form the keynote of the gathering. He said it was not so

much the matter relating io the constitutional position that the different parts of the Empire had to consider at the present time, but matters concerning trade and economics which were all important, for it was through them

that an approach to closer relations had to be made, and he expressed confidence that the important questions before the conference would be dealt with to the common advantage of all parts of the Empire. That is the spirit which should be present throughout all the deliberations of the delegates. Much will depend upon the attitude of the British Labour Government. It is on that account there may be some .doubts as to the outcome of the gathering, although, there need bo no cause for anxiety, owing to the fact that the conference ’is deliberative and not administrative. The outstanding problem of to-day is how to overcome the economic situation by the adoption of means that will be fair and just all round, doing no injury to any unit, but being helpful to all the component parts of the Empire in fostering trade, commerce and industry in such a way as to demonstrate convincingly that the whole Empire is a family business concern, in the success of which all the members are directly concerned. Australia has a perfect right to raise the constitutional' question concerning the appointment of a Gover-nor-General, but the adoption of such a course does not imply that it is either a wise or advantageous move to make. Assuming that for the sake of peace and goodwill the King was advised by his Ministers to acknowledge the right of that Dominion’s request to tender advice to His Majesty on that and other matters, the main objection to such procedure still, exists, namely, that a Gover-nor-General appointed by the Federal Government would not be as independent in his advice to the King as would one who was appointed by the King on the advice of his Ministers for the time being. If there were an Australian appointed the British Government perhaps would think it necessary to appoint a High Commissioner or Agent-General, which not only .would be a waste, of money and man power but might lead to unnecessary friction. It is not only the case of Australia that has to be- considered, but that of every other Dominion. Why not let well alone and continue the present system, which has proved op the whole ' most , satisfactory ? It will certainly be interesting to note how the British Labour Government will treat this matter raised by a Dominion Labour Government. Probably one of the most interesting and instructive phases of the conference will be the innovation of an interview on economic matters with a . deputation from the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire. Such a departure from previous practice indicates in no uncertain manner the extreme importance of the. subject at present. It will, no doubt, be generally admitted that such a step is thoroughly justified, and it is to be hoped that the outcome of the interview will be such as to make the present conference stand out in the future as a model of effort to solve a prob-lem’-that is draining the Empire of its life blood as represented by its trade, industry and commerce.