FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15245, 23 May 1923, Page 5

FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE.

GENERAL SMUTS’ IDEAL. A GROUP OF FREE STATES. Australian and N.Z. cable Assn. CAPETOWN, May 21. General Smuts, in a speech in the Assembly, in reply to General IlerUog and Mr Malan regarding the Dominion status and the European situation, emphasised that he would at the Imperial Conference defend his position regarding the Dominion status and theposition of South Africa in the British Empire. His conception of the British Empire was a grouping of free slates, held together with common allegiance on. terms of freedom and equality and operating on a basis of consultation. That was the conception for which he fought, and having achieved a large measure of success, it would be weak and foolisli of him to go to London and surrender the position for which lie had fought. Referring to the grave position in Europe, General Smuts declared that it is quite possible another great European calamity might arise, and lie urged in that connection Hie position of the British Empire must he deliueti. Tiie gre'at European war was due to the fact that the position of some of the great Powers was not clearly defined then. Had it been the war might never have happened. The British Empire, as constituted to-day, had a very powerful position in the world, which meant responsibility. South Africa did not want to participate in future wars in Europe. What South Africa should do was to use her influence, no longer as a subordinate colony but as one of the Stales of the Great Commonwealth. However small they were, and whatever contribution they had to make, they should make it in the direction of the world’s peace.