THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16497, 6 August 1921, Page 8

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

SUMMARY OF WORK. A MOMENTOUS CATHERINC. By TVUsrraph—Pr**» Association—Opvricht. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received August 6, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, August 5. The Imperial Conference met to-day. Mr Lloyd George presided, the only absentees being Messrs Meighan and Hughes. It agreed to the report, and also to the address to the King. The report pointed out that the Conference comprised thirty-four plenary sittings, besides eleven meetings limited to the Prime Ministers, and eight meetings to the Colonial Office The report stated that the greater part of the proceedings, especially in relation to foreign affairs and Defence, were highly confidential, and comparable with the work of the Imperial War Cabinet of 1917. Other parts, though not secret, are intermingled with confidential matter. Therefore, only’ indications are given of the general tenor. Mr Massey, interviewed by the Australian Press Association, said :— 4 ‘ I regard the Conference as being far and away the most important gathering of representatives of th 6 Empire that lias ever been held.”

Mr Massey continued, that a great deal of work had been essentially work which was usually dealt with by the Cabinet, rather than the Conference. Apart from tlie Imperial War Cabinet, this Conference was epoch-making, ’nasmuch as it marked the first occasion that representatives of the dominions have joined the Government of the Empire as a whole. Very important matters had been dealt with, and momentous decisions arrived at, which would have a far-reaching effect in the direction of Empire unity. 44 I am very strongly of opinion,” said Mr Massey, “ that w e have laid the foundations of a system which will in years to come develop into a satisfactory' form of government for the British Empire.”