IMPERIAL RELATIONSHIPS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14771, 10 October 1921, Page 2

IMPERIAL RELATIONSHIPS

* THE STRENGTH OF THE BOND. DOUBTS HAVE BEEN RAISED. PRIME MINISTER’S ASSURANCES. Certain aspects of inler-Inipcrial relationships were touched upon by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr T. M. Wilford) dun.ng Ids speech at Tie luncheon tendered to ' e Prime Minister. He said that there could be no doubt that u matters particularly affecting the Dominion Mr Massey aad “worthily held our end up in the councils of the Empire." He irad had his doubts sometimes whether the various Dominions had not given a chance to a possible danger in Imperial affairs. He had wondered whether the right to go by direct wires to the League of Nations, instead of through the central British exchange, was a good thing for the Empire. He knew that when the various signatories to the Peace, Treaty signed they signed it largely for the purpose of showing that wc were one, and all in a representative capacity. But since then he had read some of ihe debates which had taken place in the Parliaments of other Dominions, and he had felt some doubt and anxiety whether it would not be well at. the next conference to provide that all representations were made through the central British exchange, and not by direct wire.

'One other thing he wished to say to the Prime Minister, continued Mr "Wolford. Mr Massey would be addressing them directly on matters affecting the Japanese Empire and its relations with Britain and America. His experience at. the Imperial Conference and the message he brought must, be their guide in what they did. Unless in discussion they could see that something he had done was plainly against the interests of the Dominion —and he did not think that this would be so—they would have to follow him blindy. He must be seized of matters in confidence which could not be told to evervone. It was all very well to speak of the dangers of secret diplomacy, but before the delegates to the conference could reach a decision they must be given reasons which coud not be told to everybody. He was prepared to accept the decisions that Mr Massey had come to at the Imperial Conference. 9 A third point to which Mr Wilford referred was possible international understandings. Whatever arrangements were made in the future with Japan or with Japan and America must be reduced to writing, instead of being an understanding by word-of-mouth. An understanding by word-of-mouth it had been proved could be turned ve r y quickly into a misunderstanding, an-1 any promises given us should therefore be put into writing. The scrap of paper on which the world war began was eloquent, of that. Prime Minister's Reply,

The Prime Minister, replying to the point raised by the Leader of the Opposition, said he had not the slightest hesitation in asserting that what had taken place at the Imperial Conference had clone more Jo unite the Empire than anything else that had taken place, lie was not referring to the events of the war, (hough New Zealand’s part in the war would never be forgotten by the people of the United Kingdom. lie could not go into details that day concerning the work of the conference, but lie could say that doubts and anxieties on the point mentioned by Mr Wilford bad been removed. A suggestion had been made that when the Prime Ministers of ihe self-governing Dominions signed the Peace Treaty, a position had been created that would permit a Dominion to stand aside in the event of the Empire becoming engaged in war. The answer to that, suggestion at the Imperial Conference had been clear and distinct, that when the King, the head of the Empire, went to war, every citizen of the Empire went to war. (Applause.) When the King went to war, every one of his subjects went to war and could not help it (Applause.) He did not think that any subjects of Hie King would wisli to avoid this stale of affairs. There might be people who thought they could keep out of a war in which their nation was engaged, but he had not, met them. A member: The Red Feds.

Mr Massey; I feel to-day at peaee •with all mankind —even the Red Feds. linn't forget that when Ihe rail came very many of the Red Feds answered. The Prime Minister added that the position was finite clear. If the Empire went to war, no part of the Empire could stand out. If any Elate I hough t of standing out it would not be able to do so, since the enemy would not distinguish between the parts of the Empire. He did not Ihiink Itiai war was coming for a lons lime. He saw no indications of ils coming. Rut lie was not. one of those who believed that Armageddon had been fought, and that there would he no more war. He was firm’y convinced that the people of the British Empire ought to keep themselves in a proper slate of defence.