IMPERIAL RELATIONS

Wairarapa Age, 7 October 1926, Page 5

IMPERIAL RELATIONS

PLAIN SPEECH IN PROSPECT WHEN CONFERENCE MLETS. -LWHAT “SECESSION GESTURES’’ CONNOTE. XReceived Wednesday, 8.40 p.m.) LONDON, October 5. The “Sun’s” political correspondent says that as a result of interviews in authoritative circles, he is able to reveal interesting aspects of the most vital question to come before the Imperial Conference. namely, that of Imperial relations. They do not attach overmuch importance to the recent non-committal statements by various Premiers, he adds, because it is their conviction that there will be much plain speaking when the Conference meets. General Hertzog’s studied circum apertion rn particular is regarded as lending colour to this conviction. The really interesting point is: When will the guns unmask, and who will begin itt Diplomatic circles in Downing do not expect the startling Outbursts which have been suggest d in certain quarters for some time. The correspondent adds: “I ani able to state definitely that Britain will take an early opportunity at the Conference to indicate that she agrees that the Dominions have a right to a •eat on the League of Nations Council, and will vote in that sense if any Dominion will take such a stand, but this will be accompanied by an important reservation, namely that Britain cannot be expected to canvass other nations for votes. It may well transpire that the Council question will provide an approach to the general question of Imperial relations, because the acceptance thereof would be a distinct recognition that the Dominions have acquired still another degree of selfdetermination. What remains to be jf- seen is whether certain Dominions will seek to go further, which apparently would leave little except a complete break-away. “The question asked in diplomatic circles is: ‘Do people in talking of complete independence realise that this wr.uld mean severance of all ties, including those of defence, finance and economics, requiring that the Dominions provide for their own self-protec-"tionf’ There is no doubt what the answer will be. The only doubt is whether the people talking of secession realise what it connotes. British circles are of opinion that secession gestures merely arise froip the fact that Canada and South Africa are so wrapped up in their internal problems that they are unable to devote the necessary thought to Imperial questions. In this they are unlike Australia and New Zeawhere the true implications of the Mfmperial partnership versus independence are more fully appreciated. ” — (A. and N.Z.)