UNITY OF THE EMPIRE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 17906, 28 June 1920, Page 9

UNITY OF THE EMPIRE.

SOUTH AFRICAN AFFIRS. CAPETOWN, June 25. The appointment of Prince Arthur is regarded as a recognition of the higher status of the South African Union. In the Assembly, General Smuts, replying to a question regarding the new position of the Dominions in the matter of foreign relations, said the Empire could only exist on the basis of complete equality and freedom for all Dominions. If possible the Empire should speak with one, voice, but South Africa was not going to be coerced by a majority vote of the rest of the Empire. He hoped a constitutional conference would be called next year to go thoroughly into and clear up- the position. General Smuts, in his speech in the Assembly regarding the Dominions and foreign relations, said he was sure other Dominions would take up the same position, which should be taken, not only by the Dominions, but by the British Government—that no resolution could bfe binding on any part of the Empire without its free consent. He was sure some solution could be found in the majority of cases. The final decision, so far as the South Afdican Union was concerned, rested, and always would rest, with one country ,one body only, viz., the South African Parliament and Government.