EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 248, 31 July 1937, Page 7

EMPIRE CONFERENCE.

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS. PRAISE FOR NEW ZEALAND. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, July 29. Criticism of the Imperial Conference is concerned not so much with its sins of commission, but with its sins of omission, said Mr pethick Lawrence (Labour), in the course of a desultory debate on Dominion affairs in the House of Commons. He complained that no far-reaching contribution bad been made to the world problems, no settlement of questions between the British race and larger world interests, and no result as regards relations between white and coloured races. It was a “marking-time” conference. He commended the attitude of Mr Savage in holding that a real increase m world trade was impossible unless the standards of life in every country u ere raised. In New Zealand, Mr Savage and his Government worked consistently to raise the spending power. “I believe that considerable progress has already been made,” said Mr Lawrence. Mr G. Le M. Mander (Liberal) dealing with the report of the Imperial Conference, said he traced in it a tendency toward lip service to the League of Nations, but New Zealand’s policy in this matter was refreshing and realistic. He hoped the other Dominions and Britain would follow the example Personally, he believed that Government had in practice abandoned the idea of relying on the collective system, but the future of the British Empire depended on an effective League.

Sir Edward Grigg (Conservative) expressed the opinion that the Imperial Conference in its discussions went nearer to realities than the report suggested.

“Indeed, if certain statements which leaked out, were true there is a quality about many discussions which would |>e welcome,” said Sir Edward. The world had taken notice of the fact that the Dominions realised the importance of defence of their own spheres. Mr Hamilton Kerr (Conservative) suggested that in each capital a committee be formed to implement Empire publicity, the committee to compromise the High Commisisoners, the Press, Cinema and Broadcasting interests.

The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (Mr Malcolm Macdonald) replying to the debate said that the Government shared fully the desire for settlement of the points in dispute between Britain and the Irish Free State. He added: “We are not disposed to be too rigid in our consideration of these questions.” The Government was continuing consultation with, the Dominions with a view to helping shipping. Mr Macdonald reviewed the position as regards the South African protectorates. He said that the Government abided by pledges that transfer would not occur until tlio wishes of the local populations wore carefully considered, and until Parliament liad the opportunity of expressing its views. A communication to General Hertzog was being drafted, dealing with the whole question. Mr Macdonald finally described 1937 as a historical imperial year in the British Commonwealth, demonstrating tho co-operation between free and equal nations in an attainable ideal.