The Imperial Cabinet.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16253, 2 July 1918, Page 6

The Imperial Cabinet.

It seems to ub that Sir Massey is on the right lines when he suggests that the continuance of the Imperial Cabinet after the war will give the Dominions the representation in Imperial affairs to which they are entitled by right, with a minimum of dislocation of that delicately-balanced contrivance Iniown as the British Constitution. New Zealand, with one of its own democratic-ally-elected Ministers as ji member of the British Cabinet, would certainly hare no reason to complain that it was not receiving its just share of representation on the executive body entrusted with the duty of deciding the most momentous questions of Imperial policy. If it is thought advisable at a later period to adopt some more formal and complete form of Federation, with a central legislature, the present proposal, sp far from blockinc the way, would prove a stepping-stone on the path. "We ourselves believe that it is well to proceed gradually in moulding the constitution of a great Empire, and that for at least a generation to come what is at present proposed will meet the requirements alike of justice and efficiency. But representation will carry with it a corresponding duty on our part. We must be prepared to enter into tl}o closest unity with the rest of the Empire, in matters of trade and commerce, if necessary sacrificing some local interests in that behalf. And we must certainly be prepared to make sacrifices for the cause of common Imperial defencc —particularly in tlm maintenance of the British Navy. Representation without sacrifice would be as indefensible an anomaly as taxation without representation.