LAST CHAPTER OF NEW VOLUME WRITTEN DOWN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18013, 25 November 1926, Page 8

LAST CHAPTER OF NEW VOLUME WRITTEN DOWN.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE CONCLUDES LABOURS. MUCH HISTORY MADE AT GREAT GATHERING. By Teleprrapfi.— Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 23. Having written many new chapters oi the Empire's history—all of them, it is agreed, with most satisfactory results —the Prime Ministers completed their labours with the sixteenth and linal session this afternoon. As with the opening, it was an occasion of silk hats, frock coats and felicitous speech-making. As far as Mr Bruce and Mr Coates are concerned they will be speech-making for the next fortnight on their provincial tour, elaborating the points of the Conference's decisions. Already there is a crop of Press discussions on the new status of the King and the dominions, of which the newspapers are copiously quoting opinions from all parts of the Empire. For instance, the position of Australian State Governors has cropped up. The Australian Press Association gathers that the Federal viewpoint will probably* be that in that connection things remain unchanged and the States are linked to the Dominions Office, the Governors continuing to be channels for communication. It is remarked that the Conference dealt only with the great self-governing dominions and that if similar treatment were accorded to the States it would be opening the way to its continuance down the smallest Crown colony. ' Australian Agents-General are keenly discussing the position. One with long Ministerial experience endorses the foregoing viewpoint, that the State Governors are still amenable to Downing Street. Another w’ith wide British and Australian experience says that the Conference merely regularised the existing practice with regard to both Federal and State Governors and did not affect the established principle that all domestic questions are to be settled solely between the Governors and the Governments without reference to Downing Street. The same authority also pointed out that it would be a bad day if the Imperial authorities were encouraged to interfere. Sir Dudley de Chair had literally followed the Imperial precedent that when Mr Asquith proposed to swamp the House of Lords the King said: "Get. the authority of the electorate." Mr Asquith complied, upon which the King agreed and the Lords capitulated. lie expressed the opinion that if Mr Lang followed the precedent

of going to the electors on a definite issue Sir Dudley dc Chair would inevitably follow the King’s precedent. On the subject of new methods of consultation, it can be said that there is no immediate intention of appointing special officers in London and at the seats of the dominion Governments. nor at Washington. It is gathered that there was such a divergence of ideas on the point in the conference that it was left to the discretion of the individual dominions to adopt any system they chose with the assurance that Britain was ready to reciprocate. For instance, Australia, w-hether not with the continuance -of a liaison officer or High Commissioner accredited to Street, might prefer to continue to communicate direct with Downing Street, or might like to have at Canberra an unofficial British representative for the purpose of clearing up matters requiring an explanation upon which the Commonwealth would prefer not to make an inquiry direct, such a method would have Britain’s acquiescence. Even with Canadian and Irish Ministers at Washington it is not thought that others will follow suit because the expense will be a deterring factor and the services of the British Representative are always available.

The inevitable necessity of consulting' Parliaments on the Imperial defence contributions accounts for the general terms of the Defence report. Comment was heard to-night that it is a reaffirmation of. the 1923 resolutions on defence, particularly Clause 2 relating to the nature and extent of the dominions’ assistance. It is virtually emphasised that Australia chiefly and New Zealand to a smaller extent are the only two who have since adopted the policy of self-help and if the next three years saw no change the Conferences would simply have to go on repeating the resolutions. Another high placed comment was that the allusion to Australia's, New Zealand's and India’s “ special interest ” in Singapore was the renewal of the 1923 statement and the implied inquiry as to whether such interest appealed to the respective treasuries on the economic side.

No change was sought in the existing preferences, there was no idea of altering or adding to them *io desire for an Imperial zollverein, but recognition that-the best hope for mutually expanding trade lay in cooperation on the lines adopted by America during President Roosevelt's regime.

The Australian Press Association learns that though the communications committee was unable to make recommendations on Sir James Connolly's fast ship scheme this does not mean the end of the proposal. Sir James Connolly is still negotiating with Mr Bruce. STATESMEN MAKE VALEDICTORY SPEECHES. Aus. «.nd N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 23. Speaking a.t the final session of the Imperial Conference Mr Mackenzie King paid a tribute to the friendliness and frankness of the British Government throughout. All agreed that there had been a striking readiness to seek, understand and appreciate one another’s viewpoints and difficulties. The Conference’s greatest achievement was the evidence of common standards of the fundamental, unity of purpose and Ideals. There was a common desire to work out a sound basis for enduring cooperation. Mr Bruce expressed the opinion that the main value of the Conference had been to focus public attention on Imperial questions. They had accomplished a deal of important work though in some directions they had not gone as far as individually they might have liked. The Conference in some directions had made an epoch marking advance. They had given the world a dearer conception than hitherto of • he. meaning of Empire, of the selfgoverning nations jealous of their autc nortiy yet proud of Imperial unity. *' I feel our status as individual nations has., been .increased, while at the same time the prestige of the whole Empire has been considerably enhanced. The < onference reports only partly indicate to the Parliaments and people overe>eas what the Conference has achieved.

Delegates will leave feeling most deeply the warm vein of friendship . permeating every portion of the Empire. This could only be achieved by personal contact.” Mr Bruce paid a tribute to Mr Baldwin's Government's unremitting attention to the Conference problems, despite the great industrial upheat'al. General Hertzog said: “In leaving the Conference we all feel we are cooperators in one great scheme. We realise the necessity for occasional meetings in order to understand the feeling and spirit of London. I shall return with a feeling which I think does not often happen to anyone at such an important gathering. I leave fully satisfied that whatever I wanted to attain has been attained and, what is more, it was attained with the full sympayiv and co-operation of all delegates. ” Mr Kevin O’Higgins said: “I recognise gratefully that every matter the Free State raised has received fair and friendly consideration. We met with a desire to meet us reasonably. ” Mr Coates said that he appreciated the delegates’ cooperation with respect to divergent viewpoints. Mr Baldwin had inspired the most harmonious spirit throughout. He (Mr Coates) did not place over-much importance on the written word, though it might be deemed important to people in some parts of the Empire who saw difficulties which perhaps did not exist. “ Our deliberations will have the most powerful effect both inside and outside the Empire, ” he concluded. Mr Baldwin declared: “I am glad the Conference met in the midst of the gravest and most embarrassing preoccupations, because while you admit you derive strength from meeting us in council it is even more so with us. Your mere presence fills us with new vigour. T hope and think, like Mr Coates, that the progress made is not measurable so much by the words, though these are important, but by the refreshment of spirit in every corner of the Empire, in which work will proceed for years to come. ”

OFFICIAL SUMMARY OF WORK DONE ISSUED

LONDON, November 23. The official summary of the proceedings at the Imperial Conference states: “The importance of the Suez Canal route and its bearing on foreign relations was emphasised in the, discussion of foreign affairs on October 25. when satisfaction was expressed at the improved European relations, to which Britain had largely contributed. It was demonstrated that the Empire was firmly attached to the League as an instrument of peace. Britain. Australia and New Zealand agreed to the policy of a condominium in the New Hebrides. The Governments concerned discussed the utilisation of the Antarctic areas discovered by Britain with the view to, developing exploration and research. The Conference reaffirmed the defence resolutions adopted at the last Conference and regretted that there had not been greater progress in armament limitation, though it recognised that an effort was necessary to maintain the naval standard laid down at the Washington Conference, namely, naval equality with any foreign Power. A resolution was carried expressing the vital importance of ensuring the -se curity of the trade roures, in connection with which the representatives of Australia. New Zealand and India noted with special interest the British Government’s steps to develop Singapore, welcoming the spirit of co-opera-tion displayed in expediting the work. The Conference expressed satisfaction with the progress in building up the air forces and resources of the Empire, and urged the necessity of creating and maintaining an adequate chain of air bases and re-fuelling stations. The Conference observed the progress in organising general military formations, the adoption of patterns of weapons on similar lines and the interimperial exchange of officers. It invited the Government to consider the extension of these movements and further consultation between the general staffs. It recommended the inter change of individual air officers and complete units. The Conference noted India’s onerous defence responsibilities and her decision to create a navy, also that closer defence co-operation had been effected by the reciprocal attachment of officers to staff colleges. It drew attention to the facilities of the Imperial Defence College, noted the develop ments of the Imperial Defence Committee, and recalled the resolution of 1911 accepting, in principle, the establishment of defence committees in the dominions. The Conference adopted the Imperial Communications Committee’s resolution emphasising the improving of commuxucations, especially between Britain and India and Australia, and Britain and New Zealand, but was unable to make a recommendation, on the specific proposal for an improved service between Britain and India and Australia. But believing acceleration was possible, the Conference suggested that the Governments concerned should investigate the possibilities. The Conference noted the Rugby wireless telephony experiments. The report of the committee’s meeting regarding the Press Union's deputation on facilities for the dissemination of British news will be published later. Mr Baldwin will submit to his Majesty the Conference’s address of de votion to the Throne, pointing out that good-will and a desire for co-operation in Imperial prosperity marked all the deliberations of the members of the Conference, to each of whom the Crown was the abiding symbol and emblem of the unity of the British Commonwealth. The Conference found the plan of referring many questions to committees most successful, and carried a resolution appreciating the work of the members of the committees, mutually recording pleasure in the welcoming of trie overseas delegates and thanking the British Cabinet members for their constant attention. The Conference delegates were convinced that the deliberations were most important in promoting Empire-wide unity through co operative action. KING THE BINDING TIE OF BRITISH EMPIRE. Aus. and N.Z. Cablo Association. LONDON, November 23. Mr Coates, commenting on the interimperial Relations Committee report, said: “ What is most apparent is that in his Majesty reposes more than ever the strongest tie binding the Empire together. The right to communicate direct, with his Majesty through the Govcrnors-General may uot. involve a change in procedure, but it recognises the principle, which is the better for definition. It will now be more than ever necessary for British statesmen to keep iff close touch with the dominions. So far as New Zealand is concerned, proposals are being considered forthwith for improving inter-contact by means of more direct personal communication. ”

DOMINIONS SPOKES IN THE WHEEL NOW. LONDON, November 23Reviewing the final meeting of the Imperial Conference, Mr J. C. Davidson. Minister in charge of Publicity, said the most striking thing about the Conference was its spirit, which was an entirely new feeling, being that the Empire had reached a definite point in development. Hitherto the conception had. been that the Mother Country was the focus, the dominions being at the* end of lines on the map, but now they were spokes in a wheel which partook more of the nature of a web. In view of direct mutual communications, the dominions were, so to speak, interlocked. “ Those who thought the Empire was going to fly to pieces are faced by the discouraging fact that you can see the inter-locking running through the whole report on the interimperial relations. The Conference's practical results are most considerable. General Ilertzog. who many were inclined to think might find his position difficult, returns completely satisfied with that he has learnt of the true position of the Empire. It will make the enemies of the Empire blaspheme, and that is a most satisfactory thing. Importance attaches to the phraseology of the Air Communications’ report in which reference is made to his Majesty’s Government in Great Britain and South Africa and his Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia. Mr Bruce is no* longer Prime Minister of the Commonwealth but is the King's Prime Minister in the Commonwealth. The position is similar regarding General. Hertzog in South Africa and Mr Baldwin in Great Britain. That may seem a small thing, but it is most important.” PRESS COMMENDS SPIRIT OF CONFERENCE. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON. November 24. The Press generally commends the spirit of the Conference and regards the proceedings as fruitful, but there is a note of restrained criticism in some editorials. The “Morning Post” states: “No doubt there are local questions where the dominions’ power to make separate treaties with foreign nation!; may be useful, but we think the tendency suggested is weakening, and therefore dangerous. The dominions will doubtless in practice find that they carry much less weight when they approach a Great Power singly than when the matter is handled with the whole weight of the British Empire behind it.” Discussing defence, the newspaper stresses that the status of the dominions would not long survive were the Empire to fall. They would be prizes of war, helpless to protect their trade, liberties and even their existence. The “ Daily Chronicle ” states: “ The bonds implying subordination have been swept away, but actual bonds there must be if Imperial relationship is to be a success—bonds of interest in trade, of defence, of migration and of culture. No machinery helping to strengthen these should be neglected.” The “ Daily News ” says: “ The conference makes not a single suggestion by which the Empire can assist in the work of disarmament. On the contrary, it recognises even after a large measure of reduction has been secured (presumably by other nations) that a formidable effort to maintain her own forces will be necessary to Great Britain. This assuredly is another victory for our masters in Whitehall.” “The Times” states: “Members of the Conference have in a sense re-dis-covered the Empire. It must again be emphasised that the brilliant document published at the week-end contained no innovations. Nevertheless, something new has evidently happened. This new thing is intangible and unfettered just as the Empire itself is unfettered by precedent and free to meet what the future may bring. The new thing is, perhaps, the sense of greater and more effective unity. In such freedom the ground is cleared of political doubts about the nature of the Empire and new opportunity is given to go forward in co-operation.” “ The Times ” in a leader says: “ The best evidence of the success of the Conference is that its various members are satisfied. The visitors to previous conferences departed with a vague feeling of disappointment. This time things are obviously very different. Yet the change in spirit and the new sense of hope cannot be attributed to any startling changes because the Conference made none. The inter-Imperial relations report contains no innovations. It merely registers and clarifies the actual facts in inter-Imperial relationships and concisely records the state of affairs established by practice in recent years which are thoroughly familiar to those who have closely followed the Empire’s fortunes.’’