DOMINIONS' SERVICES RECOGNISED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17063, 16 August 1917, Page 5

DOMINIONS' SERVICES RECOGNISED.

GREAT PLANS FOR AFTER THE WAR.

(Reuter.) Received August 15, 6.25 p.m

LONDON, August 14

In the House of Commons, on the Colonial Office vote, Hon. W. H. Long paid a tribute to the part played by the Dominions in the war. He said the soldiers had shown themselves worthy of the best traditions of the British army. He was constantly receiving proofs of the admiration of the native races for Britain aud their loyaity to the King. He read messages from British East Africa and the Indian Association at Zanzibar, and emphasisec* that the loyalty and trust in Britain should be encouraged and justified by our future treatment of the natives. * <

Mr. Long mentioned that conscription was enforced in British East Africa, in Uganda, Ceylon, the Straits Settlement and Malay States, and was being considered elsewhere. Hong Kong found it unnecessary, because every v/nite man had already volunteered. The Crown Colonies had fully done their duty. Referring to the suggestion that the campaign in German East Africa ought to be brought more rapidly to a' conclusion, Mr. Long enlarged upon the stuiiwfidoius physical difficulties to be overcome.

Overseas representatives at the Conference frequently expressed the hope that the resolutions posted would not be pigeon-holed. He assured them that he would do his best to ensure effect being given to them as early as possible. Referring to Imperial preference, Mr. said that obviously any policy of preference must be framed to meet the views of the Allies. The subject demanded continued consideration. The appointment by the Prime Minister of a conference to report on the best methods and machinery whereby effect could be given to the Imperial Conference resolutions was evidence of the Government's intention to take all the steps !it could to give effect to those resolutions. Mr. Long believed that the result of the Conference would be to strengthen the prosecution of the war and would help to take some steps after the war to reap full advarifcage of the lessons learned, and make the Empire more strong and powerful than before the war. Every overseas Minister showed a strong desire to promote the interests of the Empire. What they really desired was that he should realise strongly their feeling, but that it did not originate in a desire for increased territory or any question of that kind. Their desire was that after the war there should be permanent peace in the world and security for the Empire. The knowledge of the past efforts of the Dominions and the experience gained by the Imperial War Conference showed that the whole Empire was one and was prepared to use its resources to make a combined effort to secure a final and complete victory. \