EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15131, 27 January 1917, Page 3

EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

STATEMENT BY LLOYD GEORGE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, January 25, Mr Lloyd Georg© said it seemed an impossible and undemocratic proposition to think that an overseas nation should raise and place in the field armies containing. an enormous proportion of its best manhood and not want to have a real say in determining for what use it is being put to. For that reason one of tIM first acts of the new Government was to aek the overseas Premiers to attend—not a formal Imperial Conference—but to sit in the Executive Cabinet of the Empire Conference,, which should sit as soon as possible. The war was not yet won, and there was a want, of concert in our efforts to exert our maximum strength at the critical moment. Further, we are , most anxious that during, the ihst and most trying phase of the war the Empire may present to the world an absolutely united front. The British Government, in the prosecution of the war to a finish, and in negotiating peace, wants to know that it will be carrying out the policy agreed upon by the representatives of the Empire sitting in plenary council. We stand on ,the verge of the greatest liberation the world has seen since the French Revolution. Do you tell me that people who stood' together and staked literally everything to eeefire that liberation are not going to find some way of perpetuating that unity afterwards on an equal basis. I am certain that the peoples of the Empire will be found to be in such unity in the war such as we never wished before. It is certain that the nations which have borne the best burden in the heat of the day in overthrowing militarism will take the leading share in the building of that new earth, which can only be made. possible by their sacrifices. " COMPLETING ARRANGEMENTS. LONDON, January 25. The arrangements are now being completed for the Einpire War Conference, which it is expected will be held in February, unless the delegate coming from Australia and Sir K. L. Borden’s acceptance brings Canada into line with Sou hj Africa, India, New Zealand, and Newfoundland. The Colonial Office will telegraph all the Dominions definitely at the eartiest possible moment after the date has bean arrived at so that it may be representative. This indicates Mr Lloyd George’s urgency.