IMPERIAL FEDERATION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17117, 12 April 1921, Page 7

IMPERIAL FEDERATION.

OPPOSITION TO SCHLMb. DOMINIONS AND COLONIAL OFFICE. (By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) ("The Time*.") (Received April 11th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 11. "The Times," in a leading article, says Mr Massey's advocacy of an Empire constitution and an Imperial Exe- j cutive is not shared by the other Dominions. Mr Hughes and Mr Meighen have both firmly and decisively contradicted the allegations that Australia and Canada intend asking for any change in tho Imperial system. General Smuts is eoually opposed to any tendency towards Imnerial Federation. Mr Winston Churchill is extremely unlikely to give Mr Massey's views any approval. •'Tho Times" urges Mr Churchill to take an early opportunity announce his own intentions as CoiStjal Sccretarv, and to correct misapprehensions regarding the work of the Imperial Conference in June. "The Times" adds: "The Dominions' confidence in the Colonial Office has been rudely shaken hv its frequent changes. and particularly bjr Mr fchurchill's appointment. Opinion in the Dominions seems to regard him as autocratic, restless, and immensely ambitious, and planning schemes of Imperial reorganisation, intending to spring theso on the Dominion statesmen at the Conference. Although such misgivings are without substantial justification. Mr Churchill should make an authoritative statement, as even the date of the Conference is not yet known." Tin the Canadian House of Commons,, a few ago, a member read a Pijess report of Mr Massey's speech predicting the early formation of an Imperial Executive. "The Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. A. Meighen), commenting on the speech, said: "The conception embodied in this despatch is probably in accordance with the mind and intention of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, but I have never subscribed to it."]