IMPERIAL WAR COUNCIL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15130, 26 January 1917, Page 7

IMPERIAL WAR COUNCIL.

INTERVIEW WITH LLOYD GEORGE. IMPORTANT MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED. (AustraVsu and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received January 26, 2.55 p-m. LONDON, January 25. The Right Hon. Lloyd George, interviewed by a correspondent of the United Cable Service, re the' Imperial War Council, said he had urgently invited the Dominions’ premiers because lie desired their advice and assistance in coming to decisions for the conduct cf the war and in negotiations for peace. He regarded the Council as the beginning of a new epoch in the history of the Empire. The war had changed us and taught us more than we yet understand. It had opened a new age for us. We want to go into that age together with our fellows from overseas, just as we have gone through the darkness and shed our blood and treasure together. Nothing affecting the Dominions, the conduct of the war, or negotiations for peace, would be excluded from the purview of qhe Council’s meetings. Domestic matters affecting the United Kingdom would be the only reservation. Replying to a question as to whether the discussions would include the fate of German colonies, Mr Lloyd George said that that would be one obvious question, but there were many questions of equal moment, and all would be thrashed out. The war policy of the Empire would be clearly defined, besides post-war questions, such as demobilisation and the emigration of our people to different parts of the Empire, the settlement of soldiers on the land, commerce and industry. In reply to another question, Mr Lloyd George said he could not hesitate to break precedents at such a time. The Empire had thrown itself and its very soul into the war, and he would be failing in his duty if he did not take every possible step to see that its leaders get together from time to time.